|55

ARIA AKA RED

Icy needles of cold water attack my searing flesh, and the sting claws at the clinging shadows of my nightmares as they continue to haunt me.

Closing my eyes, I step further into the spray, willing the lingering fear and nauseousness to circle the drain around my swelling feet.

A shiver consumes me, and my thoughts drift to my unborn baby and husband.

The guilt, repulsion, and terror still cling to my body like a second layer of skin. I hate that Roar still bombards my conscience.

"Goddamn it!"

I place my open palms flat against the cool tiles and absorb the coolness of the punishing surge into my bones; my core.

Every time I am ripped from reality and thrown into my night terrors, I can still feel, hear and sense Roar's presence as if he is still somehow clinging to me.

A metallic taste coats my tongue, and it causes me to shudder.

I won't give in to the facade of him still tormenting me when he is six feet under. I touch my belly. I won't let him ruin th