The darkness seemed to breathe down her neck and fondle with her hair. It slid down here cheek and over her quivering jaw.

Oh my god- she whispered to no one in particular but was cut off by the footfall outside the door. The air continued to caress her during the eternity it took for the next thump to reverberate the floor beneath her. Her muscles shook from fatigue and her breathing raspy but she fought to keep herself quiet as a mouse.

Her heart pounded under her bloodstained shirt; her body threatening to throw up.

Please, god save me from this!

She clung to the wrist of her wounded had to ease her rocking as the handle turned slowly…slowly. The light burst into the room in a sliver that ran across her knee. She caught her breath as her son stood silhouetted in the doorway.

“No…” Her hand reached for his, the one without the knife (she had used that knife to cut his birthday cake) and sobs heaved her chest. Her eyes spilled salty tears down her chin; fear tore at her face…