Demolition Before the Bloom

her ribs like a trapped bird. For four hours, she had been shoved, silenced, and paraded around like an object. To be spoken to with such careful, deliberate respect sent a violent shockwave of confusion through her exhausted mind.

“I… I didn’t hit my head,” she whispered, her voice cracking. She swallowed hard, tasting salt and copper. “My hip. Just continue reading …