Page 127 of Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

“You needed pills to…” As black clouds gather in the sky, my laugh echoes with the shore breeze. “Pills! To have me.”

I want to scream, to rage at Eric and all the lies that have surrounded me for so long, but it’s not his fault.

It’s mine.

I’m the one who didn’t address my past wounds. Who hid behind my inner demons like they were stuffed toys. And right now, I’m the one responsible for my liberation.

A loud rumble echoes through the sky, causing a rush of excitement to course through my veins—it’s the thunder!

There’s only a peaceful quiet at the exact spot where terrifying questions should take over my psyche.

I should’ve known… I’m a nurse. How could I have been so blind?

Rain starts softly.

“No. I’m just human.” It’s okay, I tell myself. “I was starved of affection, which made it easier to manipulate me.”

I’m… I’m okay.

The man needed to drug me so I would fuck him… Wow!

As bolts of lightning illuminate the darkening sky and booming thunder shakes the ground, I’m filled with effervescent giggles at each powerful sound. The wind picks up, whipping my hair around.

Resolution drums under my skin when I pick up Alumina Bang Bang from my trunk.

No man will ever control me anymore.

I stand at the shore, watching the storm roll in. The wind, rain, lightning, and thunder remind me that this world still has power and grace, even among the chaos. I may have been misled, manipulated, and drugged by those who claimed to care for me, but their actions do not define me.

Kai, baby, I miss you.

“You’re stronger than you think.”

I am.

Before the crashing waves, relief fills each cell of mine. My dress clings to my legs as I grip the bat tightly. Something within me is building, a hurricane forming in my chest. A dark, liberating madness takes hold.

I raise the bat high above my head, letting out a primal scream that echoes over the thunder. It’s a cry from deep within my soul, releasing all the built-up tension and freeing me from its crushing weight.

With fierce determination, I hurl the bottle of pills into the air and swing the bat with all my might. The bottle flies away into the crashing waves, carried by the wind.

At this moment, an overwhelming triumph fills me, and I shout, “Home run!”

I spin around, exhilarated by my strength and power.

And now, it’s time to celebrate. I reach for the bottle of tequila that Arietta brought back from Mexico for me and take a long swig. The strong liquor burns its way down my throat, but I relish its effects. Standing waist-deep in the ocean, each wave unable to knock me down, I savor every drop of this drink fit for the goddesses.

As I breathe in deeply, my lungs feel like they are expanding with newfound freedom and vitality. With nightfall settling around me, energy rushes through my veins. Although the winds may be dying down and the thunder rumbling off into the distance, the potent alcohol still runs through me, leaving me buzzing with excitement. Every nerve-ending tingle with life as I take another sip, savoring the complex flavors with hints of vanilla and smoky caramel.

Aggressive thoughts come, and I violently whip them away with an extra sip. The tequila’s aroma is delightful, and the finish is long and lingering, leaving a pleasant warmth in my throat and a gentle sweetness on my tongue.

I should go to Mexico to buy myself a whole crate.

“Eric! You! Will! Suffer!” I yell. But I fall into the water, on my butt, the bottle in the air. “The bottle’s safe and sound, ladies and assholes!”

Then, a suspicious noise.

And another one.

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