Thank you, Kelley

Chapter 18

Meghan's POV:

Rose and I are having fun being roommates. It is good to get to know her better and we have become really close. She is really funny and keeps trying to get me roped into face-timing her dog with her. Anyways our first day we had off to recover from traveling so Kelley, Emily, Rose, Linsey, Sam, Mal and I went out and explored Orlando a little. We had a really good time and I got some much needed time with Emily.

Day two, which is today, also when well. We had practice in the morning and then recovery later. I am excited because I have been here for two days now and I haven't even had a panic attack yet, but that changes pretty quickly much to my disappointment.

Rose and I have just gone to bed. It takes me a long time to fall asleep but eventually I do.

My peaceful sleep is soon interrupted by a memory that I don't want to remember.

I stand in the living room of my girlfriend's apartment. It smells of weed and alcohol. She should be home any minute. Today is the day. I have finally decided I have had enough. I am leaving and there is nothing she can do about it. Or so I thought.

I hear the door click and she stumbles in already drunk.

"Hey baby!" she blurts out.

"No. Not anymore. I'm not your baby. I'm leaving your alcoholic ass." She is not pleased with this comment.

Her whole demeanor changed. Her eyes fill with an angry fire. At this moment I realized I have made a mistake. I should have just left while she was out. Then my escape would have been easy.

She then rampages towards me. Punches hit my body anywhere I can't keep protected. Everything happens in quick succession. The punching, the kicking. I desperately try to protect my exposed body but fail miserably.

Suddenly she moves away from me. I am too delirious to know where she has gone. I pull myself onto my hands and knees trying to make my escape. I make it about four steps before a searing pain ripples through my back. I hit the floor unable to push through the pain.

She now stands above me with a bloody knife. A crazed look in her eye. This is it. This is how I die. She continues the onslaught of blows to my body. Now the punches and kicks are accompanied by a kitchen knife entering my body repeatedly.

She stands up and leaves. My head spins with pain. I tilt my head and through a blur I see her leave through the open apartment door. Now alone, I just lay there. The pool of my own blood grows around me.

I can see my phone on the floor just feet away. But it might as well have been miles. I use the last strength I have to slide myself across the linoleum floor. I don't know how long it takes but after what feels like an eternity I grasp it with my blood-covered hands

Suddenly my body pulls out of it. I shoot up in bed.

Where am I? Fuck. Fuck. Where am I?

My breathing is rapid and inconsistent. Memories flood through my brain with no signs of stopping. Somehow I manage to get myself into the bathroom of our hotel room hoping the smaller space will give me comfort but to no avail. I collapse onto the floor.

Breathe. I need to breathe. But it's not working. No, I don't want to remember.

Knock. Knock.

"Meghan?... Are you ok?" I hear a voice but it's not enough to pull me out. The door then clicked open.

"Holy shit. Meghan. Are you ok?" I can barely hear her at this point. My brain is not willing to register where I am.

"Emily?" Is all I can manage to get out. Is that her voice I can hear? I don't know. I am soon consumed by memories.