Ricochet

Fear.
It's the last thing I remembered.
I was afraid.
Afraid to fight, afraid to run… afraid to breathe.
Then, everything had gone dark. As if life was finally hearing my pleas, my cries to end the torment. To end the fear.
But even in the dark, I still felt it.
I always felt it.

Roger was supposed to be the one. He was romantic and charming. And for the first little while, I thought I could be happy with him. But I was just the fish nibbling at that delicious bait, and he was holding the rod, ready to rip me away from everything I had ever known.
They said I was lucky to get away. Luck has nothing to do with it. If I was lucky, I would have never met the man who almost killed me. I would have never lost my grasp on the woman I used to be.
I'm trying to get her back, but time just doesn't seem to be enough.

My life had been a ricochet of one event leading to the next. Bouncing back and forth from good to bad. Happiness to despair. Hope to fear.
My name is Arianna West. I'm stronger now. Steady. Alive.
I can find a way to survive on my own. I can see what is coming for me. I can channel my fear into strength.
Except… I didn't see Jack.
And Jack changed everything.

For readers 18+ due to language, violence, and sexual content.