I can tell you all about how life happens. How we sometimes go to people we should have never said Hello to in the first place. I can tell you how it all led me to a man who both revived me and scared me. How his light gave way to all the darkness t...
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The clock on the nightstand says 2:33 a.m. and I wonder where he has been all night. I hear a clashing sound and I know he's drunk again. His heavy footsteps let me know he's getting closer to the bedroom, and when he calls out my name, chills sweep over my heated skin. "Dakota" His voice slurs, but there is something in his voice I have never heard before. Hatred? "Come out here. I know what you did." His voice still slurs, but it's like he's sobering with every cold syllable.
What I did? The only thing I ever do is what he says. So, what is he talking about? Reluctantly, I get out of bed. I grab my black silk robe and tie it around my sleep shorts and tank top. As I make a few steps towards the bedroom door, I hear another banging sound. What is he doing out there?
"Dakota!" He roars. "Get out here." I open the door as softly as I can. Praying the gentleness I use will deter the blow that's coming my way.
"What did I do?" I ask once I step into the hallway. There are picture frames doting along the wood floor with glass shimmering under the harsh yellow glow of the light. I turn the opposite way wondering where Collin is. "Collin, where ar.." but I don't get to finish.
The hit lands square in my jaw and I stumble back trying to gain some balance, but before I can my feet collide with glass and down I go. I reach out for something to help my fall, but my hands fall to the ground to brace for impact. The glass penetrating my skin before I can stop it.
Tears spring to my eyes as Collin steps forward. I try to speak, but only a sob comes out. What did I do? Keeps running ragged in my mind. Collin yanks me by my hair. His dead brown eyes shaking me to my core. How did I end up here? Why couldn't I leave after he hit me the first time? I succumbed to be who he wanted, even if I lost myself along the way. But I'm not sure how we ended up here.
"Tanner was at the bar tonight. Said you talked to Darcy." His nose flairs. Darcy is his ex. I ran into her at the grocery store, and I'm nothing if not polite. I can't just be mean. It's not who I am. "You know better you no good floozy."
But then something happens that never has before. I see it before I hear the shot. He lifts his pistol that he keeps holstered on his hip. The shot rings out, but it's too late. As resignation dawns on us both, a wetness is coating the front of my robe. I go to touch it, but my hands ache from the glass.
"I-I I didn't mean..." Collin starts, before he takes off out of the trailer and the sound of a police car rings throughout the night.
My breathing is growing harsh, and it takes everything in me not to give in to the darkness as I lean against the wall. I hear the sound of my saving grace get closer, but it's so hard to hold on. But I make myself. Too afraid what will happen if I close my eyes for too long.
Finally, I hear the front door slam open again. "Police. Is anybody in here?" I try to speak, but it's too hard. All I hear is a choking noise coming out of my mouth. "Ma'am." I hear a voice that even in my coherent state causes me take notice. "Ma'am can you hear me?" Blue eyes greet me. They aren't harsh like the brown ones that sneered at me just minutes ago. These are pleading. With me to hold on? Maybe. But they hold a story that I want to know.
Such a pretty color that makes me think of summer skies and happy days. How did I get here? Such a pretty color to lose myself in. My eyes drift close. I hear his soothing thick voice telling me to open my eyes and ask where the ambulance is. I open my eyes as another voice tells him it's here.
I must have closed them again, because I open my eyes as I feel a spark shoot up my arm as his thumb caresses circles around my wrist. Other men and women come and load me on a stretcher. Then I'm being loaded in the ambulance as my eyes open again. But panic sets in. Where did the blue skies go to? It's dark and bleak without the light.
"I'm here." That same voice calls out to me, and I latch onto it. Terrified it will be gone again. "I'm not leaving her side." The voice says as someone fights to tell him they are only trying to do their job. But he stays. His voice floats around me. Bringing me back to simple days of vacations with my parents and sisters. Of laughter with friends, I no longer have. Of a life gone before my eyes. I drift off to that voice coaxing me to stay awake, but it's like a sweet relief that finally tells me I'm free. And with that husky voice talking to me and his hand on my wrist, I lose all conciseness.
