Page 13 of Impure Vows

Sophia moves to stand beside me, her expression a mix of concern and determination. “We don’t have a choice, Aliyah. We don’t have anywhere else to go.”

“I know, but he’s watching us. He knows where we live. What if next time he comes inside?” My voice rises with each word, panic bubbling up inside me. I clutch the counter for support, my legs trembling.

Sophia grabs my shoulders, forcing me to look at her. “We’ll figure something out. We’ll be careful, okay? We won’t go anywhere alone. We’ll keep the doors locked; the windows shut.”

I shake my head, tears threatening to spill over. “I’m putting you in danger too. This isn’t fair to you.”

She gives me a sad smile. “We’re in this together. I’m not leaving you to deal with this alone.”

I swallow hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult to speak. The fear lingers, a dark cloud over my head, suffocating me with its weight. I can’t shake the feeling that he’s out there, lurking in the shadows, waiting, watching. Every creak of the floorboards, every whisper of the wind outside sends a shiver down my spine. It feels like his presence is everywhere, a constant reminder of the danger that surrounds us.

7

ALIYAH

Ilie awake all night, restlessly tossing and turning. The air in the room is giving me the now too familiar sensation of suffocating, the walls pressing in on me. My heart races, a constant thud that echoes in my ears. It’s as if the fear of being found is pressing down on my chest, squeezing the air from my lungs.

Sophia is in the next room, her sleep just as restless. Through the thin walls, I listen as she mumbles something incoherent, then settles again. I envy her ability to sleep, even if it’s fitful. I stare at the ceiling, the shadows playing tricks on my mind. Every creak of the apartment makes me jump; every distant siren sets my nerves on edge, it’s all becoming insultingly exhausting.

With a groan and a sigh, I sit up, pulling my knees to my chest. The room is dark, but the city lights outside cast a faint glow through the curtains. I glance at the clock—3:47 AM. The night stretches on, an endless abyss of anxiety and dread.

A thought creeps into my mind, one that’s been gnawing at me for days.

How safe is Sophia?

By staying here, am I putting her in danger too? I can’t let anything happen to her because of me. That creep could come at any time and hurt us both. The thought makes my stomach churn.

I lie back in bed and stare at the ceiling. The silence in the apartment is oppressive, making the air feel heavy in my lungs. My thoughts are chaos as I lie, sifting through my options, none of which seem promising.

Trapped.

That’s what I am. Trapped in this tiny apartment, trapped by my fear, trapped by one man's overwhelming and confusing obsession.

The thought of leaving gnaws at me. But where would I go? How would I survive? Sophia’s safety depends on me making the right decision, and right now, every choice feels wrong.

I clench my fists, the sheets wrinkling beneath my grip. The spikes on that choker flash in my mind, a reminder of the threat that exists beneath the elegance of the presents.

She’s been my rock through all this, but I don’t want to keep dragging her into danger. My stomach churns at the thought of leaving her but staying here just isn’t an option anymore. I can’t keep risking her life, is the last thing I think as I finally fall asleep

When I wake up in the morning, I know what I need to do. The reality of my decision presses on me, making it hard to breathe. Sophia is already up, bustling around the kitchen. I sit up, the room spinning for a moment before I steady myself. “It’s for the best,” I remind myself out loud as my feet hit the floor.

Sophia glances up at me as I shuffle into the kitchen. “Morning. You look like you didn’t sleep at all.”

“Yeah, I didn't sleep much,” I admit, reaching for a mug. The coffee is strong and bitter, exactly what I need.

Sophia shakes her head. “I’m heading to work soon. You gonna be okay here by yourself?”

I nod, taking a sip of the scalding coffee. “Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

She sets her cup down and pulls me into a tight hug. “Just be careful, okay? Promise me.”

“I promise,” I whisper, the guilt stabbing through me like a knife. She releases me, and I force a smile.

“I’ll see you when I get home,” she says, grabbing her bag. “Text me if you need anything.”

I nod and watch her leave, the door closing behind her with a soft click. The apartment feels emptier than ever, but leaving is for sure, the only way to keep her safe.

The day passes long and slow and I keep debating my decision, wondering if I'm making the right choice. I lay on my bed, my mind a chaotic place of contemplation until the sun begins to set, the outside lights getting brighter. Its now or never.

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