Emma stared at the bare walls of the safe house, her fingernails digging into her palms. The room was secure, sterile, and utterly devoid of warmth. She'd been here for three days, and each passing hour felt like an eternity. The constant presence of police officers outside her door, meant to reassure her, only served as a reminder of the danger lurking in the shadows.
She couldn't shake the feeling that she was suffocating, trapped in a cage of her own making. The safety measures that were supposed to protect her felt more like shackles, binding her to a life of fear and isolation. Emma's thoughts drifted to Tom, still in the hospital but due to be discharged soon. The longing to see him, to feel his comforting embrace, was almost physical in its intensity.
With trembling hands, Emma re
