We got into the car. I bit my lip and stared out the window. Part of me felt calm, while another part remained restless. I felt safe and unsafe at the same time. Everything that was happening terrified me, but more than anything else, I was afraid of the unknown. I kept wondering what would happen next and whether I would ever be able to live without fear.
"Can we stop by my place?" I asked, turning to Vladimir. "I need to grab a few things."
"Let's go," he said with a nod as he started the car.
To my relief, the drive passed without any crude remarks. Then again, Vladimir was not the kind of man who hinted at things. He said everything outright, and sometimes I genuinely did not know how to respond to him.
About fifteen minutes later, his car pulled into my driveway. I reached for the
