Chapter 20

She closes her eyes. Inhaling deeply, she leans back, submerging her head under the warm bath water. As she feels the warmth consume her, it calms her troubled mind. This is all she ever wanted. Stillness.

An agonizing life is all that awaits her outside the bathroom door. She knows that as soon as she leaves the soothing water, the hopeless world around her will become real once more.

She no longer has to worry about what awaits outside that door. This moment, right here, right now, is all she has. To her, it’s the best moment of her life. Without worry, without regret, she stays underwater, listening. She feels like the bath is getting warmer, and yet, her body grows colder.

She opens her eyes, seeing the water all around her turned red. A smile forms on her lips, the air slowly escaping from her mouth. Her arms have gone numb, simply floating in place. The blood from their deep cuts continues to mix with the water around her.

She closes her eyes once more, letting go. Not knowing which will come first, a lack of oxygen or a lack of blood, she’s content either way. She can no longer be hurt. She can no longer be damaged. She can no longer be broken. 

She can finally be free.

Her head floats to the surface, eyes closed, her expression serene. The red tub begins to overflow.