near-loss-flashed behind my eyes. This fragile li

out-a sharp crack echoing through the roo

out, voice raw.‌ ‌"Stop acti

olence, for crus

king, held something utterly foreign-shock? Confusion? Pain? It van

ff me. Without a word, without

ual post-conflict vigil. His car sat below, engine off, unmoving.

uch, a threat. I had to leave th

Henry ever gave me-barely 200k-rents were astronomical. Dad's medical mountain

us apartment became my refuge the moment

-

cious weight. The doctor's warning-"placental instability"-echoed,

uzzed. Summer's voice was tight, urgent.‌ ‌"

reckless. Blu Bar was known for its low-key vibe, mo

iled

mming space, a hand shot out, yanki

ra aimed like a sniper rifle across the room.

ely close to a man whose face sparked instant recognition. Her high school sweet

fuel.‌ ‌I shrank lower.‌ ‌"Summ

s off my head and perched them on my nose.‌ ‌"Distraction time."‌ ‌She slid out, weaving to

aughter floated over, sharp and brittle. And twice.twice. I

‌"Insurance broker."‌ ‌She sounded disgusted.‌ ‌"Whole life, critical

the chill down m

r up, urgency making my voice sharp. Th

-

e unfounded. Maybe the sunglasses and hat worke

n. As I filled a glass, memory struck like lightning

ered on the tiles, water

ena found it? Seen m

ord. Maybe. just maybe.

l nerves, I visited

came undeniable, I'd spun a tale of remote work travel. Summer, bless her, had man

A month of tears, arguments, and quiet despair followed befo

ll brown bottle into my hand, wincing.‌ ‌"My wris

s unresponsive, needed daily m

his frail forearm. An overpowering, medicinal scent

ation? This oil. it smells incredibly strong. And I'm not even-"‌

led, half-asleep in bed. "Doctor said it he

n't give it much

healed, so I took over Dad's dai

r, I felt it-this restless ache tightening in my chest

p, ‌a stabbing pain tore t

f agony that made my head swim.‌ Summer came runni

d, ‌I felt sudden warmth

ing across the white she

ba

nt of pain cut deeper

t split sec

dn't save