Page 66 of Shadows of Obsession

Across the way at the older barn, Anna was in her element, carrying buckets with a steady rhythm. The scene might have seemed mundane to others, but to me, it spoke volumes. She looked relaxed, almost at ease, her posture loose and shoulders dropped.

It was a welcome sight after the stress of the past few days.

But my calm shifted abruptly when a sudden movement from Denny's direction caught my eye. The young horse was acting up, pulling against the lead rope and rearing slightly. Denny was a seasoned hand, but the colt's unpredictable behavior tested even the most experienced handlers.

The colt's erratic movements made my grip on the steering wheel tighten. It was rare for Denny to show strain, and the fact that he struggled visibly meant this could escalate fast.

My mind raced, torn between the urge to help and the knowledge that intervening could make things worse. I watched, breath caught in my throat, as Denny fought to regain control of the agitated animal.

CHAPTER 20

Anna

My attention was focused on the horses in the old barn when a commotion in the distance caught my eye. Denny was struggling with one of the colts, trying to lead it into the ring for ground exercises. The horse reared up, its powerful legs striking the air in defiance.

Oh no.

It was clear the situation was escalating quickly, and Denny was losing control. Without a second thought, I took off running toward them.

"Denny! Hold on, I'm coming!" My shout carried across the yard as I sprinted, my heart pounding in my chest.

The colt bucked wildly, its eyes wide with panic, nostrils flaring as it fought against the lead rope. Denny's grip was firm, but the horse's strength was dragging him along the ground. I reached them in a flurry of motion, grabbing onto the rope to help steady the frightened animal.

"Thanks, Anna! This one's a handful," Denny managed through gritted teeth, his muscles straining with effort.

Side by side, we held fast to the rope, trying to calm the colt. But the horse's terror only seemed to grow, its frenzied movements becoming more erratic.

In a sudden burst of energy, the colt reared again, hooves slicing through the air. The rope jerked violently as Denny fought to keep the animal from breaking free.

"Denny, I've got it! Just let go!" I urged, thinking he needed to loosen his grip to ease the tension.

But in that instant, the colt whipped its head with tremendous force. The rope snapped back like a whip, striking Denny's hand. In a split second, his hand slammed into the side of my face with a sickening crack.

The impact sent me reeling, my body hitting the ground with a heavy thud.

Pain exploded through my skull, stars dancing across my vision. But it was the flood of memories that truly took my breath away. The force of the blow had unlocked a torrent of images and sensations I had long kept buried. They rushed through my mind in a dizzying whirlwind, each one more vivid and heart-wrenching than the last.

I was back in Daniel's house, in the dingy living room that always smelled of cigarette smoke, where the walls seemed to close in on me every time Daniel was in one of his moods. He backhanded me. Hard. Knocking me to the ground. The anger in his eyes as he loomed over me was intense, his voice a harsh scream that drowned out everything else.

"You think you can just leave? You think you can just go to work and leave me here? You belong to me, do you hear me? You don't need to go anywhere!"

His hands gripped my arms, fingers digging into my skin as he shook me violently. I was helpless, the way his spit hit my face as he screamed, the overwhelming stench of smoke and alcohol.

My chest tightened, the air squeezed from my lungs. The memories felt real, like I was back in that house, feeling the pain and the fear. I could feel Daniel's hands on me again. I couldn't breathe.

I heard a door slam, then another voice, urgent but gentle, breaking through the fog of my flashback.

"Anna. Anna! It's okay.” Jaxon's voice cut through the haze, a lifeline pulling me back from the brink of darkness. “Look at me, baby.”

Baby?That got my attention faster than anything.

"You're safe. It's just me. You're okay."

I blinked, trying to focus on his face through the blur of tears. He knelt before me, his hands grasping my arms—his touch meant to be reassuring.

But it was too much. Too similar to the memories now holding me captive.

With a panicked gasp, I recoiled, pushing him away as I scrabbled backward across the dirt. Away from his touch.