Page 25 of Beyond Repair, Part One (Damaged Duet #1)

Nina

I twist the deadbolt and turn the lock on the door handle. Their dull thuds match the sluggish beats of my aching heart.

The sound of my parents’ car starting and eventually backing down my driveway slowly lowers the shutters on my feelings. This would be a time to process my feelings, as my therapist would say, but I can't. I refuse. These emotions are damaging and downright traumatizing.

It's like I've lost them all over again.

I'm alone in a house that suddenly feels freezing and empty. A chill works up my spine as silence slithers into my ears and chokes me until I'm mute. By the time I no longer hear their engine, I'm numb. Nothing but a shell that can't even feel the tears running down my cheeks.

I may as well be a robot for how stiff my legs are as they carry me to the living room. The sun shining through the window doesn't match the black hole that I have become, so like a thoughtless zombie, I close the shades.

As if that one task took the final shreds of my energy, my knees buckle. The plush rug beneath me does nothing to soften the blow to my bones, but deep down I register that the fluffiness feels nice against my wet cheek as I curl up on my side.

They're gone. Today was their final day in town to make sure I settled in. And now Mom and Dad are just... gone. They're going home. I want to go home .

The wind must gust because the windows whistle in reminder that this is my home. Somewhere in the shade of my heavy weight of numbness, a flicker of sadness and discontent try to pull a sob from my throat, but all they do is make my tears fall faster.

I'm cold. I want my mom.

The wall creaks. I want my dad.

Alone...alone...alone...