Page 62 of Under the Waves

But I knew I had to.

I couldn’t avoid it forever.

So, I tied up my hair.

I smiled.

And Ibreathed.

Because that was all I could do.

You can’t throw a bandage on it and expect it to heal!

Jasper’s words echoed in my mind; a haunting, lingering infestation of a thought. I hated him and Ihated his words because deep down I knew he was right, and I hated that even more.

He didn’t understand.

The world didn’t understand.

It didn’t matter, though. It never mattered.

I didn’t matter.

The words I kept were burning me alive.

I hated the world.

I hated him.

I hated myself.

Racing. Pounding. Deafening.

She was going to kill me.

My mother was going to kill me.

With my fingers on my wrist, I started to count.

One hundred and eighty-two.

The darkness grew near.

My legs started to move.

Faster. Faster. Faster.

I lost control.

The world was a tornado of blinding lights.

Piercing thoughts.

Thundering heart.

Breathe.

I couldn’t.