Crimson shadows

to open my eyes. The harsh light overhead was too brig

the flickering sound of a switch easing the intensity. I blin

"You haven't been eating, have you? And what are these marks on your body? What the hell is going on?" Her

ill took care to make sure I could drink it easily. I downed the water in one go, f

I managed wit

ng. "Is that scumbag putting his hands on you? You have b

trying to sound casual. "You kno

the club last night. I'm sorry. But seriously, what's with the bruises? What's going o

buela. I need enough to take care of her and bring her here to live with me after

ng son of a bitch stole from you, I told you I'd help with the hosp

her meds. I don't want to keep running to you whenever things get tough, especially when it comes to money. It's easy for you to

'd slap you if you weren't lying in a hospital bed

just don't want to rely on you for this. And I'll leave

softening. "I'm just worried about y

asked, though I alr

op

't leave him-I wanted to. I wanted to walk out that door and never look back, to find some semblance of the life I used to dream about. But after investing so much into this relationship, into him, I felt stuck, like I was caught

we'd get through it together. But instead of finding comfort in my words, he lashed out. The back of his hand came out of nowhere, striking my face with a force that left me reeling. My cheek stung, my vision blurred, and I could barely comprehend what had just h

he stumbled into bed hours after I had fallen asleep. He didn't just slap me this time-he hit me like he was preparing for a UFC match, each blow filled with a rage that I hadn't seen before. I felt my body curl in on itself, trying to protect

moment, I thought he would actually let me go. He even urged me to pack my things, said he wouldn't stop me. But the moment I was unlocking the door, he pounced on me like a predator who had been playing with its prey. He dragged me back inside, his hands clamped around my wrists like iron shackles. I thought I was going to die that night. He beat me until I was a sobbing mess on the flo

e world. We'd been together for three years, and I had once thought we'd spend the rest of our lives together. But those good days were a distant memory now, a faded photograph that bore little resemblance to the reality I was living in. Now, I j

o see my friend standing there, concern etched across her face. I forced a smile, but I could tell she wasn't buyi

out," I replied, shak

me out." She wiped away a tear

. I miss Abuela. I haven

Imani was already FaceT

ice filled the room,

oo, my sweet Ab

demanded, and Imani rolled her e

ni, what is going on with my Liara?" Abuela's worry was immedia

just stress and dehydr

t been eating,

voice wavered as tear

'll be out of here toni

s and New Year's. It won't happen again. Stop worrying." Imani signaled that she needed

h blood cancer," Abuela

er. And you," she added, turning to me, "I'm picking you up later. You're s

hat mirrored the chaos in my waking life. When I woke, it was to the sound of Imani's key turning in the lock. I blinked, disoriented for a moment as the remnants of sleep clung to me. The room was darker now, the evening having given way to night, and the familiar scent of Imani's perfume filled the air as she stepped inside. "Hey, sleepyhead," she greeted me with a warm smile, her presence immediately bringing a sense of normalcy back into the space. I sat up, rubbing my eyes, and returned her smile, grateful for her friendship. "Hey," I replied, my voice still thick with sleep. "How was your day?" "It was good. Busy, but good," she said as she set down her bags and made her way over to the couch. "How about you? Did you get some rest?" "Yeah, I did. Abuela called, so we talked for a bit before I fell asleep." I paused, hesitating before adding, "James still hasn't called." Imani's expression softened, and she sat down beside me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, Lia. You know I'm here for you, right? Whatever you need." I nodded, trying to keep the rising wave of emotions at bay. Imani had been my rock through all of this, and I didn't want to burden her any more than I already had. "I know, Imani. Thank you." She gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before standing up. "Come on, let's get something to eat. You must be starving after your nap." The rest of the weekend passed in a blur of quiet moments and simple comforts. Imani and I spent Saturday night watching movies, the kind that made us laugh and forget, if only for a little while, the worries that weighed us down. We ordered takeout, sprawled out on the couch with bowls of food balanced on our laps, talking about everyth