Page 118 of Did They Break You

My heart is… hollow.

It’s really over.

It’s all really over.

I’m covered in dirt, and I see it under my nails. Pressure builds behind my eyes as I hang my head, facing the door.

I want to scream.

I want to call someone.

I want to go to sleep and never wake up.

I’m empty.

I’m hollow.

I’m just a shell.

“Where were you last night, Remi?”

My stepdad’s voice causes me to jump.

My heart leaps into my chest.

I’m screaming.

Out loud. Here, in this moment, I’m screaming, and someone is gripping my jaw tight as my eyes fly open and I’m nose-to-nose with Storm.

I think of him watching me that night, and I wanted Cortland to tell everyone to stop. To leave me alone.Leave me alone, I’m just yours.

I try to scramble away from Storm on the couch.

“It’s not real,” he’s saying, his words low, his grip on my face firm but not painful. “It’s not real, Remi.It’s not fucking real.”

It is, though.

In my head, it’s all so real.It’s all so vivid.

“I’m not yours,” I whisper, trying to get away. “I’m not yours.”

His fingers are splayed along my jaw, and he glances behind me. Panic seizes through me and I stop trying to pull back. I stop trying to run.

I start to fight.

I shift on my knees on the couch, wrap my hands around Storm’s throat.

He’s frozen beneath my touch, his body stiff.

I lean in close to him, his hand still on my jaw.

“I’m not fucking yours.”The words don’t sound like me. They’re a low growl. Like an animal.

I pull back, only to slam my temple against his, the pain making my eyes water but I don’t care.

“I’m not fucking yours!”I scream those words, and in my head, I’m not staring at Storm’s blue eyes anymore.

I see my stepdad’s dark ones.

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