Kill Switch by Penelope Douglas

“Did he make you do anything you didn’t want to do?” my
mother asked, clarifying her question.
But I just dropped my head, shaking it, because I didn’t
know how to answer. No, he didn’t make me do something I
didn’t want to do, but he made me do something I would never
have done with Damon Torrance.
She wrapped her arms around my neck, bringing my head
into her chest. “It’s okay. Shhh. I’m going to fix it,” she told
me. “We’re going to fix it.”
She rubbed my back and held me for a long time, calming
me down and letting me hide a little. I was kind of glad my
dad took my phone, though. Listening to that shit was
screwing its way into my head, and I wanted everyone to
understand, but I knew it would be pointless. The world loved
to hate, and for now, my bubble was the safest place.
She laid me down and pulled my blanket over me, my
clothes still on, but I was too drained to change.
“I left a glass of water on the bed stand,” she said, “and
there’s a Xanax next to it if you feel like you need it.”
I nodded, knowing I wouldn’t. My eyes were heavy, and
I’d be asleep soon enough, waking up tomorrow to face the
nightmare all over again.
“Mom?” I called, hearing the music drift up from downstairs
as I sat up in bed.
It was so clear.
My door was open. I thought she closed it.
Reaching over, I hit the button on the clock, hearing it
read, “Twelve-fourteen a.m.”
I patted around for my phone, remembering my father took
it, but felt the water my mom left and gulped down a hefty
drink.