Page 1 of Keep Me Safe

chapter one

kira

“This is a serious accusation. If we find out you’re lying, you could get into realtrouble,” the stout officer warns, his mustache twitching as he frowns.

The stale stench of coffee and cigarettes clings to him, turning my stomach. I’ve been sitting in this cold metal chair for over an hour, shaking so badly my teeth nearly chatter. Tears streak my face as I stare at him, pleading silently.

He isn’t listening to me.

“I tried to tell him no—he wouldn’t listen,” I say more to myself than to him.

“Are you sure?” he asks, accusation clear in his tone.

I drop my head into my hands, taking a deep, quivering breath. I’ve told him the entire story three times, but it doesn’t matter. He thinks I’m lying. My heart sinks in my chest as I look up to my mom. Her eyes don’t meet mine as she sighs, looking more annoyed with the situation than concerned.

“Listen,” the officer drones,“from what I’m hearing, there’s no case here. You willingly put yourself in the situation. He didn’t threaten you. He didn’t hurt you.” His voice lowers.“Not to mention, you were drinking—which is illegal. You’re lucky I’m not charging you for that. I suggest you go home and clean yourself up.” His gaze drags over me, making bile rise in my throat.

What is happening?

These people were supposed to help me. That’s what we’re toldas kids, right? Cops protect you? My vision blurs as I stand and make my way out of the police station.

“I told you,” is all my mom says.

Three years later, it plays in my head like it was

yesterday. I push down the memory, locking it away as I turn my key in the old deadbolt.

The scent of strawberries and vanilla fills the room from the wax warmer in the kitchen, and the sun shines through the windows, painting a golden hue over the space. The bed is made, albeit sloppily, and all I want to do is climb into it.

This place has been my home for nearly an entire year now. The apartment is small and fits only the necessities: a queen-sized bed, a purely functional kitchen, and a bathroom the size of a closet, but I love it. It’s mine. I signed the lease the minute I turned eighteen and was legally able to, needing to escape my mother.

She never loved me. I’m convinced of that now.

Still, some small, foolish part of me thought that night—something that serious—would force her to show a sliver of compassion.

I was wrong.

Sinking onto my comforter, I let out a slow breath.

That’s over now.

I haven’t spoken to her since I left, and I don’t planto.

I need to focus on the present.

I graduated today.

I actually did it.

After everything that happened freshman year, I wasn’t sure I’d make it to sophomore year, let alone graduate. The thoughtfills me with a hint of pride. He didn’t win.

Prying my stare away from the cracks in the yellowed ceiling, I sit up, knowing I have to start getting ready to head to work. My job at the local grocery store isn’t anything fancy, but I’m beyond grateful for it. Without that income, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Lake Ann is tiny—barely three hundred people live here year-round—which explains why our grocery store is the size of a storage shed. The building’s wooden siding and deep green trim make it look like something out of an old Western, but don’t let its size fool you. Somehow, it’s packed with everything a person could need.

I drop my bag behind the counter and head toward the back, searching for Rob. He’s always here, stocking shelves or chatting with customers. I find him crouched in the snack aisle, stuffing bags of chips onto a shelf.

Rob is in his sixties, silver-haired and round like a teddy bear, with a permanent twinkle in his eye. He grins up at me.

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