Page 58 of Swan

But finally, I felt like I could enter the shopping centre without my nerves eating at me.

At least, I thought I could.

Sighing, I climbed out of my car and pocketed my keys and phone. As I walked to the electric doors, they swept open, and the noise hit me.

It was loud and busy.

Swallowing, I stepped through and paused to take a deep breath.

I’m fine.

There’s nothing to worry about.

Enough time has gone by. Surely no one will recognise me.

Swallowing hard, I made my way into the first clothing shop. The music blared through the sound system and made me grit my teeth.

I walked right back out and made my way along the other shops, sticking to the wall.

A child screamed. I flinched and stopped.

That was when I heard it.

“Look over there. Her.”

“Is it her?”

“Yes! I remember her picture. She got him killed.”

“I heard he wouldn’t have been there if it weren’t for her.”

No.

No, no, no.

Why?

Why do they have to say something?

I wanted to shout that I didn’t know that would happen to him.

And I would swap places with him if I could.

“If I were her, I wouldn’t show myself in public.”

I shouldn’t have come here.

This was wrong.

Tears clouded my vision. I blinked rapidly and gripped at my chest.

The urge to run pressed down on me.

I thinned my lips, ground my teeth, and looked ahead.

“Record her,” one said.

Panic frosted my veins.

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