Strategy

MONIQUE

As I stood there watching Ryan’s retreat, I felt cold… and lonely… and scared.

I didn’t know why I was having this feeling. I had never felt this way. Not with Ryan. Never with Ryan.

I had always felt safe. Taken care of. But now… there was an edge. There was something in the way he looked at me. In the way his hand slid through my hair and he told me I was addictive.

It seemed almost like a promise.

Because what did addicts do?

What happens when someone is addicted to something?

They never let go. Was that a promise?

Was that a threat?

What did he mean?

Should I be scared?

I shook my head... No. He cannot get to me.

Not this easily. Not this way.

I won’t stop. My plan is still in motion, and I won’t stop until I get everything back.

I stood there... I didn’t know for how long until I couldn’t handle the cold anymore and finally decided to go back into the house.

At first, I was planning to go back into my room and lock myself in there… but I just—I felt so lonely. So cold.

An