Respite.

"Lola. Lola, wake up." A voice called out, it sounded distorted as if it was passing through water. When I heard the voice, I struggled to extricate myself from the scene I was witnessing like a free diver going up for air but it proved futile.

'Fine girl. Come he-' No, stop it. I didn't want to see this. I tried to turn my head away, my chair making a little screech from the force of my motion.

As I felt someone pinch my waist, I recoiled and shifted away. Before I could figure out where the sensation came from, my attention was drawn away by the scene playing out in front of me.

My muscles tensed up in preparation for my final struggle. I had witnessed this scene so many times that I could predict what would come next even if I was blindfolded.

'Shhhhh. Relax, I'll make sure yo-' I said NO!

"Nmm." I shifted on my chair, my head rolling from side to side, my unease tangible.

"Wake up Lola." A leg stretched out to kick my chair. "Lola wake up now!" The voice commanded magisterially.

I