The Ink That Haunts Us

Chapter Six

I was fine.

    And I wasn't totally lying.

    When I woke up, deep down I knew it would be a good day. It was just another day and despite what had happened three years ago, I was free. I was safe, and nothing was going to change that. This day was a piece of cake. In fact, I would make this day my bitch. It was going to be beautiful.

    I had woken early despite my intentions to sleep in, so I cranked up the music and danced-cleaned my apartment. It was an incredible performance, and it was so much fun. I was just thinking it was a shame that no one was here to witness this amazing show when someone let out a hoot behind me. The sudden intrusion caused me to start, and I lost my balance, falling over the back of the couch.

    It would have been a painful landing had Freya not moved quickly. Unfortunately, she wasn't strong enough to keep me from completely falling, and together we landed in a heap on the floor. We were both startled for a moment before we erupted in laughter, rolling around to lie beside each other.

    Freya let out a breathy sigh and turned to grin at me.

    "Where have you been?"

    My eyebrows drew together as I took in her sad eyes.

    "What do you mean? I've seen you every day this week."

    "True, but I feel like the Saw I know and love hasn't actually been present. Just some spaced-out cranky girl in a shell. It's so weird and I just... we're all so worried about you." The look in her eyes almost broke me. I hated keeping things from her and the truth was on the tip of my tongue. I knew all I had to do was say the words and she would support me and be there for me in any way.

    I couldn't do it.

    I shrugged, looking to the ceiling.

    "I'm fine, really. Just a little lonely, I think." I was getting good at half truths.

    "You need to get out more. How are you ever going to meet someone if you only go to school, work, and home? We need a girls' night! I'll rally June and the three of us will go out and shake our asses. Together we'll find you a man." Her eyes were alight with joy and I could almost see the wheels turning in her head.

    I didn't really want to go out, but if this would make her happy and keep her off my case, then so be it.

    "Sounds like a great plan," I lied. "We could do it this weekend." It was just one more thing I could work myself up to doing. The fact that I was already dreading it was unlike me. A hermit I was not.

    Freya pushed to her feet, grinning down at me. "I gotta go, but I'll see you at work later."

    "Later, babe," I waved from my spot on the floor.

    Sometimes I could hardly believe how far I've come. Four years ago, a life like this was just a dream. A dream that I would have never thought would have happened. A life like this always seemed too good to be true and now it was a life that was all mine. I was lucky to have gotten out of Seattle when I did or I may not have survived much longer.

    It's weird how a lot of thinking can be done while you're laying on the floor staring up at the ceiling. There's just something about laying on the floor letting all your thoughts bounce off the ceiling. It's the perfect place to reflect. If I could lie on my floor for the rest of the day, I probably would, but I made a promise to myself that I would get through this day as if it were normal. And on a normal day, I would be excited to get ready for work. I would be excited to see the crew at the shop.