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And my heart came with her, slamming against my chest as she barged into me.

I could barely fight her, she was so mesmerizing.

Her white teeth shone in the gloom.

I grabbed her, wrestling her as she drove her fist upwards, right into my stomach.

Oof.

I doubled over as she swung again, only this time her blow was too wide.

“Missed m—”I started as something wrapped around my neck and pulled tight.

What the fuck?

She howled, turning around to grasp the ends of the cord around my neck tighter. I threw my hands out, trying desperately to grasp her from behind. But all I grabbed was my shirt…

Rip.

Panic ignited inside me.

Wait.

WAIT!

I tried to breathe and fight…the reality was that I could do neither.

The pressure around my neck faded.

And took everything with it.

My knees buckled.

I felt the fall.

Mel…my sister’s face lingered faintly in the dark.

The dark that rushed into me.

I’m sorry.

FIVE

Helene

He droppedto the floor in front of me with a brutalthud,his head hitting the floor hard. I sucked in a breath as my own knees wobbled.

“Fuck.” I collapsed onto the bed, staring at the man on the rug.

My mind was spinning. I tried to think. What the fuck…what the fuck?I clenched the bedding, trying to still the shakes. But it was useless, my teeth gnashed as they chattered.

What are you waiting for?

Run.

Call someone.

Who?

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