Chapter 2: The Stranger Who Stayed
336 Words
She sat on the cold tiled floor, hugging her knees.
Carly didn’t remember when she started crying. All she knew was that the tears wouldn’t stop. Her chest hurt like something was tearing her apart from inside.
Jose placed the delivery box on the table and slowly sat a few feet away from her.
“I won’t touch you,” he said calmly. “I’ll just sit here.”
She laughed through her tears. “You don’t even know me.”
“I don’t need to,” he replied. “Pain looks the same on everyone.”
That annoyed her.
“You talk too much for a delivery guy.”
A small smile touched his lips. “And you talk too much for someone who wanted to jump.”
She glared at him. “I didn’t ask you to save me.”
“I didn’t save you,” he said gently. “You stepped back on your own.”
Silence.
Minutes passed. The city hummed outside. Carly wiped her face angrily.
“Why are you so calm?” she asked.
“Because if I panic,” Jose said softly, “you might think your pain scares me.”
Her heart skipped.
No one had ever spoken to her like that.
Her phone buzzed again. She looked at the screen, then threw it away. She didn't need to answer ,her father had called to turture her with those same words again.
“I hate this life,” she whispered. “I hate being strong.”
Jose stood up slowly. “Then don’t be strong tonight.”
He picked up the box. “Just… stay alive. For tonight.”
Their eyes met.
Something unexplainable passed between them.
As he walked to the door, Carly spoke without thinking.
“Will I see you again?”
He paused.
“That,” he said quietly, “depends on whether you still want to live tomorrow.”
The door closed.
And for the first time in years…
Carly wanted to see tomorrow.
- Writer
