The End, and The Beginning.
A Year Earlier
Unknown Number, 8:46p.m.: James said you heard someone outside, are you okay?
Violet, 8:50 p.m.: Uhh who is this?
Unknown Number, 8:50 p.m.: Flynn. From up the road. Are you okay?
Violet, 8:52 p.m.: I'm fine. I did hear someone outside though, and the dog was going nuts. I think they're beside the garage now.
Unknown Number, 8:55 p.m.: Stay inside and lock the doors, don't open them for anyone but me. I'll be there soon.
Violet, 8:57 p.m.: No, don't worry about it if you're already busy. Seriously.
Violet, 9:02 p.m.: Hello? Flynn if that's you in my driveway I swear I'll...
Flynn, 9:43 p.m.: Save my number and call me if you ever need anything or if anything like that happens again.
Violet, 9:45 pm: Was there really nothing out there?
Flynn, 9:47 pm: Yes, Violet. Nothing out there. Get some sleep.
Violet, 9:50 pm: Small problem
Flynn, 9:54 pm: What's wrong?
Violet, 10:02 pm: I can't breathe.
Quickly, I pick dial her number, and wait as it rings. She answers, and all I hear are forced breaths.
"Are you okay?" I ask, waiting. She coughs.
"Yes. Pan..." Her voice is breathy, forced, yet still scratchy. "Panic attack, chest... Chest hurts, and the room is spinning." She says. I don't know what to do as she hangs up. I text her again.
Flynn, 10:22 pm: Why are you panicking?
She takes a minute to reply. I start to worry, and then my phone flashes.
Violet, 10:29 pm: Sorry I hung up on you. I just need to calm down. My parents are in the middle of a bad custody battle and I'm kind of in the center.
Quickly, almost too quickly, I type back a response and hit 'send'.
Flynn, 10:29 pm: It also might help a little that you moved out then. I'm sorry, that was a low blow. Tell me about your siblings?
This reply is much faster, and seems more stressed than the last.
Violet, 10:32 pm: I'll be fine. It's letting up. I'm fine. My siblings are taking it harder. They don't know what to think so I hide it from them.
I sigh and run a hand through my hair. My dog whines from his spot in the floor, and I scratch behind his ear.
"I know buddy, I know. She worries me too." He pants softly as I type back.
Flynn, 10:34 pm: Custody battle? Your parents are divorced? I have to work in the morning so if I don't text back I fell asleep. Call me if you need me, okay?
