Page 106 of All My Broken Pieces

I found that in writing, I was able to process some of the emotions that I couldn’t put a voice to. In creating worlds and having my characters go through traumatic events similar yet so different to my own, I found a healing I didn’t expect.

The hardest moment was writing my first rape scene, I knew I needed to do it, that it was part of the story, but I sobbed as I put into words through the pain of my character what I felt and couldn’t otherwise voice. And now here I am, having finished the story, given the heroine her happily ever after, and in doing so, I somehow managed to find my own once again.

I peer up at my love, a smile on my face as I bask in the afterglow of finally doing it. “I’m officially an author.” I breathe, my chest cracking open and heart breaking in the most beautiful way. “I actually did it.”

Arriana beams at me, pulling me into her arms. “Yes, you did,mi vida. Estoy tan jodidamente orgullosa de ti.”

I smile at her, pressing my lips to hers. “Gracias, mi amor. Estoy tan emocionada.” My Spanish is still not the greatest, but I’m learning. The immersive experience is definitely helping.

Since we had to steer clear of the more touristy areas to avoid possibly encountering a visiting official or someone who may connect Arriana with the trail of bodies she had left behind, it meant that next to no one spoke English. If it wasn’t for Arriana,I would have starved by now simply for lack of being able to order food.

“Muy bien.You’re learning very well, you’ll be fluent before you know it.” She kisses my forehead before releasing me and turning to walk into the kitchen. “I think it’s time we celebrate, what do you think?”

“Mmm, yes please.” I hum, perching on one of the stools to watch her prep.

I didn’t expect Arriana to be the homesteading type, but I’ve been surprised by her on more than one occasion. My heart is full as I watch her move about the kitchen. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have found someone who not only loves me for exactly who I am, but who encourages me to do the things thatIwant and thatIlove.

Sure, she has her faults, but don’t we all? And at the end of the day, I know she’ll always be there for me. What more could I ask for?

Arriana winks at me as she slides a large drink across the countertop. “Virgin piña colada for myverynon-virgin girl.”

I giggle, sipping the coconut and pineapple drink. It’s still tempting to want to sneak some liquor in, but I’ve found that diving into the things I’m passionate about helps calm the constant buzzing much better than any alcohol ever could.

My phone buzzes, the screen lighting up with Ava’s face. My smile widens as I slide to answer the call, holding the phone up to my ear. “Sooooo?” She demands.

Chewing on my lip, I glance at Arriana, twirling the straw in my drink. “I did it.” I whisper conspiratorially, as if it’s some big secret.

Ava shrieks on the other end of the line. “No fucking way. I’m so proud of you, babe! Okay, that’s it, I’m coming down there to celebrate.” I laugh at the sound of her rushing about her home.“Killian? Killian!” She shouts, huffing as she searches for her husband. “There you are, we’re going to Mexico.”

I giggle again at the sound of his grumbling, I can’t make out the words he says but can just imagine the look on his face at the idea of coming to visit us.

“Okay, it’s settled then.” Ava huffs, returning her attention to our conversation. “God, I’m so excited for you. We’ll be down this weekend. Okay?”

Sucking in a large gulp of my drink, I hum, “Sounds perfect.” Arms circle my chest, pulling me back into Arriana’s embrace. “Ava, I’m going to need to call you b-back.” I gasp out as Arriana nips at my neck, her hands sliding slowly down my body. I don’t hear what she says in response as I disconnect the call and drop my phone onto the counter.

“I love seeing you this happy,mi vida.” Arriana hums, her fingers bunching up the fabric of my sundress. “You know…” I shudder as she slowly scrapes her nails along my skin. “I had an idea of something we could do to celebrate. A veryfunidea. One that came from this beautiful brain of yours.”

Suddenly my head is jerked back, my scalp stinging from the force of her grip. I blink up at her, my heart pounding in my chest as the anticipation grows.

Arriana grins down at me, a gleam in her eyes that sends a shiver down my spine. “Time to run, baby.”

It only takes a split second for my mind to catch up, but in that moment, I see a shift in her. Gone is the loving smile on her face just moments before, now replaced by a hunger. A burning desire forme.

“One.” She breathes, the corner of her lips lifting. Something in her expression has me leaping to my feet and sprinting from the room.

Her breaths came in heavy pants as she ran into the woods, heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from her chest.

A smile spreads across my face as the words frommystory play through my mind. I know exactly what Arriana has in mind, and where she got the idea from. My bare feet slide on the tiled floor, a giggle escaping my lips.

“Two.” Arriana’s voice rings out clearly, echoing behind me.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are.” He called, the sound of crunching twigs sounding under his heavy footfalls.

She clapped her hand over her mouth, trying to keep as quiet as possible. The anticipation of this moment having been built up, finally ready to spill over into reality.

“Three. Ready or not, here I come!”

I clap my hands over my mouth to contain my squeal. Glancing around feverishly, I opt to run toward the front door, bare feet be damned. The eerie silence following Arriana’s counting sends a chill down my spine, the only sound my heavy breathing as I sprint out the door.

---