band-aids don't fix bullet holes

{88} darling let's run, run from it all

TW: I'm not gonna say for what because I really don't wanna spoil before you read the chapter. Just gonna say mental health.

Taylor's POV:

I dash down the stairs while pulling out my phone to shoot a quick text to Eliza because I'm not leaving Hailey alone with Travis, especially not after what I just discovered.

Me: Please come over and watch Hailey for a bit. Emergency. Don't ask.

I don't stop moving. I make it down the stairs, through the hallway, and to the front door without looking back. The tears blur my vision, but I blink them away, refusing to let myself fall apart in front of him. Not now. Not like this. My hand fumbles with the lock, but I yank the door open, the cool morning air hitting my face like a slap.

"Taylor!" I hear Travis call out, his footsteps coming fast down the stairs. But I'm already outside, the door swinging shut behind me. I don't want to hear him. I can't.

I storm down the driveway, arms wrapped tightly around myself. The air is cold, biting, but it's a relief—a sharp contrast to the hot, suffocating anger and hurt burning inside me. I don't even know where I'm going; I just need to get away from the house, from him, from all of it.

I'm almost at the street when I hear another voice.

"Miss Swift, wait!" It's Rick, one of the security guard who's been assigned to keep an eye on the house at all times. He's already coming around the side of the driveway, quickening his pace when he sees me. "Where are you going?"

I wave him off, trying to push past the lump in my throat. "I just need some air, Rick. I'll be fine."

But he steps in front of me, his face serious, the way it always gets when he's in protective mode.

"I can't let you walk around alone. It's not safe."

I stop, clenching my jaw.

"I don't need a babysitter, Rick. I'm just going for a walk." I reply pissed.

His expression doesn't change but there is a flicker of concern in his eyes.

"Ma'am all due respect, it's my job to keep you safe and after everything that's happened I don't recommend you roaming around on your own. Just let m-"

"I don't fucking care! Just back the hell off, okay?!" I snap. My fury still present the words come out sharper and louder than intended.
Rick takes a few steps back, lifting his arms in surrender, a frightened look on his face. I don't think he has ever seen me like this with this much anger etched into my face.

I turn and start walking down the street, fast, my arms still crossed tight around myself.
I turn the corner, my pace slowing as I walk past rows of houses, all quiet and still in the early morning light.

I stop at the edge of the park, the path stretching out in front of me, empty and quiet. I stand there for a moment, staring at the trees, the way their leaves rustle in the breeze. I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but all I can think about is the look on Travis's face, the way he tried to explain, the way he tried to downplay everything like it didn't matter. But it does matter, especially after everything that has happened.

I swipe at the tears on my cheeks, annoyed at myself for crying, and start walking again, faster now, like maybe if I keep moving, I can outrun all of it—the hurt, the anger, the fear of what this means for us. For me.
But no matter how fast I walk, I can't shake the feeling that things are falling apart once again. I feel stupid that I dared to think everything  might go uphill from now on.
I guess that's just not how life works, at least not for me. There are no breaks and maybe, just maybe, it would've been better had Joe pulled the trigger back then, shot right through my brain.