lub hammered in my chest. Alcohol filled my head,

aid, leaning against

Janet, also intox

rom you." A deep voice pierced

e man who had been observing me a

mile appeared endeari

. "Yeah!" Janet swayed a

rful. But first, drop

Come on, Daniela," and s

be a buz

to one side. --- The morning came with a vengeance. I woke up with a h

my mind: the club, the stranger, the man waving goodbye as I st

aled Janet. I croaked, "

rning, s

d rough, she was be

you hol

ough my abdomen once more.

em. I need to get to a cl

per. "I do not know. Can't

n't drive right now." The room whirled v

at was the last thing I remembered. --- White

s waki

coming from

r me?" I tried to

peared, followed by a m

The physician

e you f

ath," I

The physician's f

st lost your pregnancy. At first

wh

iss Daniela. Roughl

e room were til

mpossible,"

t." He took a quick

ou will require at least two weeks of tota

Alex's baby. Before I could stop them, tears were streaming d

" she mutter

re no longer in need o

been so happy,"

l his life." Janet drew

going to do?" I wiped away my tears as

ng it," I s

r know. I want noth

id, "You have got me," "We w

I don't know what I

oo." She sm

--- Three weeks of bed rest g

lege degree and certifications, which I required to

g, "I am going over there,

zy?" She bloc

pposed to

d those papers if I'm go

expressio

o get them

shook

x is at work during the day. I'

ing, Janet reluctantly agreed to drive

you're done," she war

es, I'm coming in." The house felt e

stairs quickly, heading for the office where I kept my documents. As I reach

* I slipped into the office and located my diploma and certifications in the bottom d

voice, was high with ter

it!" A slurred, angry voice I

t as Sam came tearing around the corner, his face streaked w

grabbed hi

answer, Alex appeared at the end of t

ression shifted to somet

o's back." He s

eg for anot

rs," I said, pushing Sam

now." Alex l

here." He grabbed my ar

ered as I struggl

o!" I s

ree of Alex's grip and backed toward

. Now." Alex's

t going anywhere."

hands connected with my

shed down the staircase. The last thing I saw was Alex's shocked face peering down at me before everything went black. ---

ela." His voice was ge

aw, animal sound tore from my throat as I curled into myself

" I m

o..." The d

Sam hiding behind his legs. I turned a

cut through my gr

month of leaving, but for fi

a slut. I'm glad yo

ystallized into something harder, colder. I tur

pered, my voice tr

nt to see either of you again." Sam'

ave, his expression unreadable. The door had bar

n, her face pa

to my side, gather

ned? I was waiting and

eyes frantic. "Who

king with sobs. "The baby's

eart." Her

ally speak again, I pulled back j

crying. "Janet," I whispered, "it was

stard. I'll kill him." I gripped her han

you. He'll suffer for what he's don

statement." Janet and I exchanged a look. Something

" I said, wipin

e knew the truth ab