The Scars of Us by Nikki Narvaez Read Free Book Online

unless I thought it was absolutely necessary. I think that if you remind them what happened, tell them how much what he did has affected you, I doubt they’ll give the final approval on his release.”
    I sighed. “I’ll think about it. I can’t guarantee anything though. I can barely keep it together with him miles away.”
    “You’re stronger than you think, Ky.” He placed a hand on my shoulder. “I know you can do it,” he voiced confidently as he gave me an assuring smile.
    Uncomfortable focusing on myself, especially when it involved Kaleb, I changed the subject, “I need to shower. I’m all sweaty.”
    Turning around, I didn’t give Kamden a chance to make me talk about the issue any further. I heard the phone ringing again when I entered my bathroom.
    Stripping my clothes, I avoided the mirror as I stepped into the shower. I kept my body turned away from it the entire time, letting the water rain over my skin, hoping it would wash away the emotions trying to break through.
    After I stepped out of the shower, I made the mistake of looking in the mirror. Dangerously drawn like a moth to a flame, I inched closer to my reflection, knowing the aftermath would be disastrous. Even though it was my face, all I could see was him staring back at me—his eyes, his nose, his mouth, his… everything.
    Shuddering, I gripped the counter, trying to pull away, to disentangle myself from the trap I’d fallen in, but the damage was already done. My heart thumped wildly in my chest as I struggled to breathe. My lungs familiarly tightened in anxiety. I couldn’t think, couldn’t talk myself down, when all I could see was him.
    Taunting me, he smirked menacingly as he vowed, “I’m coming for you, Kaiya. This time, I will have you.”
    “No. No, no, no!” I shrieked in horrified panic. Fear heated my skin, strangled my veins, and rooted itself deep within me as Kaleb responded with intermittent yeses and maniacal laughter.
    Impulsively, I grabbed my blow dryer before repeatedly bashing it against the mirror, causing it to splinter and crack. I angrily screamed as I continued, making my throat burn until it became raw. Small pieces of glass began to shoot outward from my blows as I spiraled out of control, hammering him with all my force. Stinging pain registered on my face, but I was too beyond gone to care.
    “Kaiya, stop! Stop!” I heard a voice yell before large, strong hands gripped my arms. The blow dryer clanged to the floor as I fought against whoever was holding me, throwing myself back into a bulky mass before slamming us into the wall.
    Squirming against the body, I struggled as I tried to kick, punch, and scratch whoever was holding me.
    “Kaiya, it’s me! It’s Kamden. Stop!” he yelled urgently.
    Kamden?
    Chest heaving with ragged breaths, I looked back at the fractured mirror, seeing Kamden’s distorted reflection holding me. I began to relax against him once I realized I was safe—that it wasn’t him.
    Kamden eased his hold on me before gently rubbing my arms.
    Slowly turning around to face him, I rasped, “I’m so sorry, Kam.”
    “Don’t apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for. I threw too much at you at one time.” Looking toward the mirror, he continued, “I’ll have to get that replaced.”
    “Maybe it’s better if you don’t,” I suggested. When he gave me an inquisitive look, I explained, “I try to avoid looking at it all the time anyway.”
    He nodded before cautiously lifting his hands up to my face. He turned it side to side, examining my skin. “Let’s get you cleaned up—you’ve got some cuts.”
    As he walked to the sink, I raised my hand to my face, tenderly touching the areas that were now starting to burn with pain. Blood dotted my fingers when I pulled away, and I couldn’t believe how fast I had lost control.
    Kamden came back before leading me to the toilet. He sat me down before kneeling in front of me with cotton balls, peroxide, and antibiotic