Under Glass

Chapter 6- Drowning

Caitlin was pulling on lime green boy shorts when her phone rang. She rummaged around in her over-sized bag while adjusting her top.

"Hey," she answered breathlessly.

It was 3:18, May eighth, two thousand fifteen. The mirror and lights spun, then blurred. That exact moment that would be stamped in her mind forever.

********

All of a sudden she was sitting in her apartment, her shirt inside-out, surrounded by those who loved her. Everyone was whispering. Caitlin couldn't really hear anything other than the beat of her heart, which sounded like a kick drum. Her mother's face was concerned and strained as she spoke to Caitlin's father. Traylor and some other close friends were scattered around the apartment. She caught a few words here and there.

Gun.

Sex.

Break up.

Letter.

The numbness began to wane and Caitlin wanted to grab it with both hands and pull it over her head like a blanket. The phrase "If you don't love me, I can't be here," appeared every time she closed her eyes.

Her friends noticed she was coherent and walked over. Their words sounded like she was under water.

Was she talking back?

She pushed herself up off the couch and walked out her front door without a word. Caitlin began to run; she wanted to escape what just happened. She wanted to run away from the reality of what was in her apartment.

She did this.

No.

Once she reached the end of her apartment complex she sprinted. She pumped her arms and legs as hard and fast as she ever had, trying to evade what was coming for her. She ran until her lungs burned and the pounding in her brain made it impossible to think.