"Isadora..." He hesitated for a long moment before asking quietly, "How have you been?"
I smiled, a painful lump rising in my throat.
"I've been fine."
The police car arrived just then.
Alaric and I ended up at a police station together, far from home.
After taking brief statements, the officers let us go.
"I'll walk you home."
Alaric hurried after me and caught my arm.
"No, thank you," I said, cold and distant. "I don't live far from here. You don't need to worry about me."
"But I'm worried about those thugs..."
"Then I'll call the police." I smiled. "Alaric, we've broken up. Please respect that and give me some space."
He tried to speak, but it was as though his throat were full of knives and every word would tear it open.
"I never agreed to break up. I know things have happe
