Page 27 of Owned In Misty Mountain

Because she’s right.

I didn’t.

I just decided.

Because in my world, when you care for something, you keep it.

You don’t ask the fire if it minds being sheltered.

You just build the goddamn shelter and drag it inside.

But she’s not a fire to contain.

She’s the whole fucking world.

Twelve

Shanay

The door clicks shut behind me, but it feels like he’s still out there.

I don’t look out the window.

I don’t check if he’s watching.

I already know he is.

Even after everything I said, Mike followed me all the way home, boots crunching behind me like he was the shadow I couldn’t shake. He didn’t speak. He didn’t try to stop me.

He just made sure I got here.

Safe. Alone. Sore. Confused.

I lock the door. Slide down against it.

And cry.

—-

Saturday morning feels heavier than it should.

I don’t open the curtains.

I drink half a cup of cold coffee and stare at the chipped paint on my windowsill.

I should be angry.

I am.

But mostly I’m hollow.

I told him I wasn’t a thing to be moved.

I meant it.

But I still miss the way he moved me.

I spend most of the day cleaning things that don’t need cleaning.

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