542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImIqGZiABB
Lena sat on the couch, staring at nothing.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPi47topU0
The TV was off. The lights were dim. The only sound was the slow tick of the cheap clock on the wall.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ifTP6ctBt
She pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. It smelled stale..she hadn’t washed it in weeks.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYTRJqeauT
Outside, traffic hissed on wet pavement. Car horns blared, people shouted, the city moved like it didn’t care she existed.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0gCHFe5QG
She hadn’t left the apartment in two days.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07G4IO7Cd7
Empty mugs cluttered the coffee table. Cold takeout cartons stacked near the door. She told herself she’d clean it all up tomorrow. She’d been telling herself that for a week.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYoW3lwZSZ
Her phone buzzed on the cushion next to her.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4sgQpObpr
Marcus.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRiBn4je30
She watched it vibrate silently until it went still.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KfaSiaIdQ
Then it lit up again.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcRDC5v9Py
Marcus (2 missed calls)
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVLdGJjb1B
Lena closed her eyes. The fatigue wasn’t physical. It was in her bones, in her chest. Like a lead weight pressing her down.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXrPalG4eW
She felt tears sting behind her eyes but didn’t bother wiping them.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGixapaK9Cq
She let one fall. Then another.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4who86eOQ
But she didn’t sob. She didn’t make a sound.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP94kJfhmzc
Crying quietly was something she was good at.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FelwlCUwW
Her phone buzzed again. This time a text.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3Ke0MxIH8
Pick up. Please.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hhi62Td3T
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfbQ0cgcqC
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhHlelEMgk
She didn’t.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnEJPe3ZQ0
She let the screen go dark.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQcnhBTYY7
The apartment felt huge and empty.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj6JF4FWZY
She curled up tighter, pulling the blanket over her head.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyejCYKziF
If she was lucky, maybe she could sleep for a while.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrX0nZrdE8
Forget she was here at all.
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadk3nuiFBn
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNUdLYOtai
---
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8wKzg4Wqo
AUTHOR’S NOTE
542Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcLOYJ7LgM
This is a fictional story, but the feelings are real for many people. If you’re struggling, please reach out to someone you trust. You don’t have to do it alone. 💛
ns216.73.216.134da2
and then Add to home screen.