x
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Lena sat on the couch, staring at nothing.
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The TV was off. The lights were dim. The only sound was the slow tick of the cheap clock on the wall.
20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcqCyXEOCY
She pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. It smelled stale..she hadn’t washed it in weeks.
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Outside, traffic hissed on wet pavement. Car horns blared, people shouted, the city moved like it didn’t care she existed.
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She hadn’t left the apartment in two days.
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Empty mugs cluttered the coffee table. Cold takeout cartons stacked near the door. She told herself she’d clean it all up tomorrow. She’d been telling herself that for a week.
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Her phone buzzed on the cushion next to her.
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Marcus.
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She watched it vibrate silently until it went still.
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Then it lit up again.
20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7YSbiYq25
Marcus (2 missed calls)
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Lena closed her eyes. The fatigue wasn’t physical. It was in her bones, in her chest. Like a lead weight pressing her down.
20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuZIYmYxRC
She felt tears sting behind her eyes but didn’t bother wiping them.
20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSetxA2ljas
She let one fall. Then another.
20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8oqhT0zme
But she didn’t sob. She didn’t make a sound.
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Crying quietly was something she was good at.
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Her phone buzzed again. This time a text.
20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47ESIr6Y31
Pick up. Please.
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20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HoSmqD9jg
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She didn’t.
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She let the screen go dark.
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The apartment felt huge and empty.
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She curled up tighter, pulling the blanket over her head.
20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJAZUYN6fn
If she was lucky, maybe she could sleep for a while.
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Forget she was here at all.
20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrohpM0qARi
20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX7OqZuEmG
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AUTHOR’S NOTE
20Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDB897JFcw
This is a fictional story, but the feelings are real for many people. If you’re struggling, please reach out to someone you trust. You don’t have to do it alone. 💛
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