Page 13 of Forgiving Fate

“Allie! It’s Landon.”

My body relaxes slightly but is still on edge from the voices still plaguing my thoughts.

“Allie. Please come to the door. It’s safe. You don’t even have to open it. I just want to hear that you are okay.”

I search for any hint of distress or waver in his voice that gives any hint that he could be lying.

“Allie. I know you have no reason to trust me, but I promise you I will never hurt you. Please come to the door. I need to hear you are okay. If you don't, I hate to do this, but I’ll open it to make sure you’re not hurt.”

The idea of him being in my space when I so desperately want to be alone has me moving towards the door. I slowly make my way out of the curtains and over to the door. I stay a few feet back to give myself a respectful distance if this really is a trap.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I silently beg for my voice to come out clear and strong so he doesn’t get the idea he needs to come in. “I’m fine.”

When it comes out as evenly as it can, I let out a sigh of relief and wait for him to respond.

“Okay. The threat is gone. You have nothing to worry about. Try to get some sleep. If you need me, don’t hesitate to call or text me again. I’m uh—” his voice wavers and pauses for a brief moment, then continues, “I’m sorry. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I listen to his footsteps retreating down the hallway. When they are far enough away, I check the door handle and lock again, then slowly sink down to the floor, my back gliding against the door.

My hands shake, and the first tear falls from my eyes. I quickly wipe it away, but it’s useless when they start streaming down myface. The knife falls to the ground as I glance down at my hands that are shaking so badly. I watch it as it falls in slow motion. It clatters to the ground with a thud and my eyes blur as the tears grow heavier.

Leaning my head back against the door, I let my emotions consume me.

It happened again. It almost happened again. Why? Why me? Why is this my fucking life? Why do we live in a society where men think just because they have a penis, that gives them the authority to rule?

When did no morph into yes? When did please don’t touch me, suddenly become a silent question?

Why did the sun have to stop shining? And when did the storm clouds decide to make a permanent residence over my life?

I have no idea how long I sit there lost in thought, but eventually my body gives into the exhaustion and I fall asleep.

I wake with a jolt and sit up.

How did I get here? I rub my eyes and twist my body to rid the ache from sleeping on the floor.

The sun reflects off my phone beside me and I tap the screen to see it’s five minutes to nine.

Fuck. How the hell did I sleep that long?

Quickly, I race to gather my few belongings. I pause before opening the door.

“Please. Please, just give me a small break. Please let no one be on the other side of this door. Please, just let me get to see something of my parent’s one last time. After that…I don’t care. Just let me have this one thing.” I beg to anyone and everyone in the universe that may be listening.

Taking one last deep breath, I slide the lock and open the door. I freeze in the doorway when Landon practically falls on my feet.

He jolts up to his feet like someone shocked him. Scrubbing his hand down his face, he blinks a few times and straightens his shirt.

I have no words. He was clearly asleep. And that can only mean one thing.

Landon slept on the other side of my door. And for some odd reason, I feel a sense of relief wash through me.

Chapter Six

Landon

“I’m sorry. I needto make a phone call before we get on the road,” I say, leaning down into the car where Allie is waiting quietly.

The last twenty-four hours have been exhausting. I wanted to kick myself in the ass for not paying closer attention to the dickhead clerk. If it wasn’t for a mission my brothers were on, hitting the fan back home, I would have been able to pay closer attention and would have stopped him before he tried to get to her.

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