LOGINStellaOne Year Later…The beach breeze is warm against my skin. The sound of laughter and light conversations fill my ears, causing me to smile more than I have for in the past. My brother's sit on the opposite side of the table, while my parents, Lillian, Adrian, and I are on the other.We decided
StellaI was discharged from the hospital just a few hours ago. Adrian kept me in his car while he ran out to the store and bought all new groceries for me, buying me snacks and drinks for me to eat while I relax at home. It is a really kind gesture from him, something that he never would've done fo
Adrian looks at me and I shake my head, signaling for him to stay. He silently nods and remains in place, watching as the room is slowly vacated, my father remaining behind. His eyes flicker between us, the way I instinctively reach for Adrian’s hand.“What is it that you’re doing, Stella?” my fathe
StellaAdrian stayed by my side for the rest of the night. He held my hand and called the nurses over when I needed more pain medication to ease the stinging and burning feeling inside of my body. He helped me adjust my pillows and got me more blankets, bribing the teenage girls next-door to offer u
Stellathe first thing that I can hear is the faint beeps of a hospital machine. There is a hospital like ambience, just beyond my consciousness, rooted in reality, it is in a place where I am not. I can listen to the sound of nurses and doctors talking, but I fall back into a state of unconsciousne
AdrianMy heart races inside of my chest. I can’t think straight and I feel so dizzy, having to sit down since my legs feel like jelly. I tried to convince myself that everything is okay, that Stella is not in need in that Clara is just over exaggerating what she said on the phone, but something in
I nod and exit the hospital room, stepping out into the busy hallway. Nurses and doctors pass me by. They barely pay attention to me until a nurse comes up and places her hand on my shoulder.“Mr. Adrian? Is there something we can help you with?” her voice is gentle and soothing. It helps calm my ne
StellaIf I held any hope of being rescued inside of my heart and brain, it has now been smushed to death, pummeled by the look of smugness in Clara’s eyes as she and Adrian exited down the stairs of the warehouse.I fight against the ropes and try to push the gag out of my mouth with my tongue but
AdrianThe blank ceiling of my bedroom is not enough to calm me down but it is just enough to keep my mind distracted from the revelation that has been exposed by Stella at the hospital not even an hour ago.Clara has been faking her illness. She has been pretending to be sick in order to gain my at
Third PersonClara looks around the room, hyperventilating as the realization sets in that she is actually in danger. She tries her best to listen to Stella, who guides her from down the hall on what to see and look out for. Clara does not even question why Stella knows what to look for, simply doin







