Page 5 of Manic

An awful feeling settles in the pit of my stomach, cold and heavy.

I turn back, hoping I'm wrong, praying it's just my imagination.

It's not.

There he is, following me closely.

His eyes locked on me like a predator stalking its prey.

"Shit," I mutter under my breath, quickening my pace.

My mind races, searching for options. Where can I go? Who can help me?

The coffee shop.

It's the only place I can think of that might be safe.

I break into a run, my feet pounding against the pavement.

I can hear him behind me, getting closer.

"You can't run from me, Meghan!" he calls out, his voice a mix of amusement and threat that sends chills down my spine.

I reach Beans & Babes, relief flooding through me as I grab the door handle.

But as I push, my heart sinks.

The door doesn't budge.

"No, no, no," I whisper frantically, yanking at the handle.

It's locked.

I locked up before I went to the flower shop, and the keys... the keys were in the box of flowers I dropped.

"Fuck!" I curse, slamming my palm against the door.

I turn around, my back pressed against the locked entrance, and face my approaching nightmare.

My father slows his pace, a triumphant smirk on his face as he realizes I'm cornered. "Nowhere to run now, kiddo," he says, closing the distance between us.

I scan the street desperately, looking for anyone who might help, but it's deserted.

My mind races, searching for a way out of this situation.

"Stay back," I warn, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm not that scared little girl anymore. You can't hurt me."

But even as I say the words, I know they're not entirely true.

The fear is there, clawing at my insides, threatening to paralyze me.

His laugh is cold and mirthless. "Oh, Meghan. You never learn, do you?"

His fist connects with my jaw before I can react.

Pain explodes across my face, and I stumble, tasting blood.

I try to fight back, throwing a wild punch, but he easily deflects it.

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