When I was finally able to relax, my mother had come into my room without knocking and sat on my bed. She looked at me, took out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from her pocket, and lit one. I watched the smoke twirl and then fade into the air before she spoke.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXKL9oZ8QB
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“I just got off the phone with Dr. Monroe. He didn’t tell me much; just that he couldn’t see you anymore. What happened?”46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz64jlx3QFc
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To the untrained ears, her question sounded normal. But I knew what she was asking. Things were never anyone else’s fault, always mine. She would tell me my dad drank because I was such an awful child, but I didn’t believe that. He drank because he turned into an asshole and wanted to hurt his family.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h0D5JvdvE
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Sliding off the bed, I went to the window and stared out into the night. Somewhere, a car horn blared and tires screeched. I wondered if the person had gotten into a car accident. That one thought took me away from what was happening now, and it was enough.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJpOfP7aez
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“Kendall?”46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CfO9DUf5S
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Her voice had called me back, away from the darkness, and I turned around to face my mother. She looked tired, almost like her being near me was physically exhausting.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXJ5SD1y1b
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“What?” I asked, pushing my hair away from my eyes. “It’s none of your business what happened.”46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdqiDY9TEc
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“I’m going to pay for another doctor to tell you there’s nothing wrong with you, so I have a right to know what happened with this one.”46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiQZgJXSwa
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I couldn’t tell her. There was no way she would believe me. I bit down on my cheek and said, “I don’t want to talk about this now. I’m tired. Can you please get out?”46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjv0qt2atC
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Surprisingly, she listened. After the door shut, I collapsed onto my bed and shut my eyes. I wished I hadn’t fallen asleep.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDf9DKbDo7
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Something about this was familiar, but I couldn’t place it. I stood with my hand on the doorknob, ready to turn it. When I did and it opened easily, there was no one in it, just a desk, papers covering it, and a lamp.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYoQL11iC6
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He wasn’t here.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhZf4f6ky7
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Backing out of the room, I wheeled around to face him. He was standing against the wall, his eyes frightened. He went to ask me what I was doing here, why I was doing this, why—46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruvb52yqLz
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It didn’t matter anymore as I pulled out the gun and shot two rounds into his chest. I watched his body slam back, blood spluttering from his wounds. He was dead before I stepped over him and out into the night.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lqbOJ3j4d
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My eyes snapped open to meet the darkness and I sat up. For a moment, I had no idea where I was, but then it all came flooding back. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and dialed the only number I could think of.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPolHycDXaU
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Two rings and he answered, despite the time.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOFpKmcIBq
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“Kendall?” His voice was groggy.46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgrVCSZHmn
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“Please,” I whispered into the receiver, my breathing heavy. “Please help me, Christian.” 46Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77XWW5jXQF
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