I didn’t even know where I was going at first. My body was moving, but my mind wasn’t part of it. It was like someone had reached into my chest, unplugged everything, and left me running on fumes. One minute, I was outside the apartment. The next, I was halfway down the street, my bag heavy on my shoulder and my heart heavier still.
The air felt thick, pressing against my lungs with every breath. My ears were ringing, but maybe it wasn’t sound.... maybe it was the echo of everything I didn’t say. Somehow, without really deciding, I flagged down a cab. The driver asked, “Where to?” and I just blurted it out. Home.
If that’s even what I could still call that place.
The car smelled faintly of cigarettes and air freshener.... that cheap kind that burns your nose, but I didn’t care. I slid i
