He's trapped me in his sights.
Waiting to consume me.
He wants to awaken the darkness inside me.
Possess it and own me.
Damon West is bad news.
He might appear charming on the outside.
But that's only a mask he wears to hide the true predator inside...
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Ever since my mom died, I have been drowning.
Drowning in darkness without knowing if I'll ever resurface.
I won't, will I?
It feels like an endless expanse of blackness and pain. A feeling that's filling my lungs, making me suffocate with each inhale.
A hand waves in front of my face, getting my attention from my cancerous thoughts.
"Earth to Jess," Annabelle says. "I know things are hard right now, but they will get easier; I promise." Her hand reaches across the table and wraps around mine.
I sigh to myself; it doesn't feel like things will ever feel easier. If anything, things are getting harder.
"Sorry," I mumble, then sip my iced latte as I stare out the cafeteria window.
"Seriously, Jess, you can talk to me; I'm here for you." She squeezes my hand softly in hers.
"Thank you," I say sincerely. I would have drowned long ago if it hadn't been for Annabelle and Ezra.
"You know, it might look like I have a good life, Jess, but things are never as they seem. My dad left me and my little sister to be with his mid-twenties mistress when I was younger. My mom became an alcoholic and hasn't been the same ever since. I might not know what it's like to be in your situation, but I know what it's like to feel alone."
Her words make a heavy feeling settle in my stomach. I always imagined Annabelle would have the perfect life. I knew her mom was remarried, but it must have been devastating when her dad left. My dad left, but that barely registers since he left when I was a baby.
Relying on alcohol doesn't exactly make you the best person I would know. I honestly didn't know she was dealing with so much. I really am a shitty person—a shitty friend.
"Annabelle, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how that must be. I'm sorry I'm such a selfish friend."
"You couldn't have known; I don't exactly talk about it, and you're definitely not selfish. I'm not so alone now that I have you." She gives me a small smile and pushes her glasses up her nose.
"I'm here for you too, always," I say as we give each other genuine smiles. The silence settles back in. The best thing about Annabelle is that she enjoys it as much as I do. There's a strange sort of comfort in silence.
My phone vibrates on the table, and I huff, turning the screen off.
"Damon again?" Annabelle asks.
"Yeah," I sigh.
Damon left me alone for the first week, then picked up his religious texts like nothing had changed. He's been persistent even though I haven't replied once.
