Page 26 of The Sound of Silence

There was a crash.

Natalia and I screamed.

All at once, our wall of protection was gone. I closed my eyes, terrified, unable to look at the scene unfolding around me.

“Gia, it’s okay,” Teddy said. I slowly opened my eyes and met those of my former boss. Daring a glance at Ben, I found him standing over Ethan with a table lamp in his hand. Ethan had been knocked out cold. “Come on. We need to get you to the hospital.”

I shook my head. I couldn’t trust my life to a system that favored men. The corruption in the police department only tipped the scales further in Ethan’s favor. I couldn’t risk doing things the right way—hospitals included.

“No. No hospitals. He’ll know to look for me there. Just get me as far away from here as possible.”

“Gia, are you sure?” Nat asked.

“I’m sure. Wait… I need to do one more thing.”

Stepping away, I held out my left hand to look at my wedding ring. Pressed next to it was the engagement ring I foolishly accepted a lifetime ago. Together, they were supposed to be a symbol of eternal love, the circle signifying infinite devotion. When Ethan chose the design, I wasn’t a huge fan. Now, I detested the rings more than anything. They didn’t carry the meaning of a love everlasting but symbolized the shackles which held me down for far too long.

Tears blurred my vision as I ripped the rings from my fingers and took a few steps closer to where Ethan was sprawled on the floor. I didn’t know why tears spilled down my cheeks. I wasn’t sad. I didn’t feel guilt over his motionless body. I wasn’t even numb—although I wished I was. Numbness would have been better than the unadulterated hatred boiling my insides as I stared down at my husband—the Hyde disguised as Jekyll, who had damaged me beyond all repair. The hatred I felt surrounded me in shadows that were black as night, pulling me down until all I could see was red.

I didn’t like feeling like that, but in some ways, it gave me solace. I knew hatred would be the driving force behind my survival, and I would hold on to it for as long as I lived.

Tossing the rings, they bounced and rolled until coming to a stop near Ethan’s head. Turning back to my friends, my gaze landed on three sets of sad and worried eyes. Squaring my shoulders, I walked toward them, reaching deep into my soul to find the strength I would need for the road ahead.

10

Gianna

Icouldn’t go to Natalia or Teddy’s house. Ethan knew where they lived and would expect that. Instead, Teddy drove me deep into farm country until we found a cheap hotel where I could grab a room for the night. I was about fifty miles from Indian Hill—not nearly far enough away from Ethan—but it would have to do for tonight. I hated putting my friends out, but I didn’t have much of a choice. Fleeing in my own car was out of the question since it was registered to the chief of police. Ethan only had to flag the car as being stolen and every law enforcement agency in the country would be looking for me.

After much arguing, I convinced Teddy, Ben, and Natalia, I would be fine alone in the hotel, and they should head home. Teddy agreed to come back tomorrow to drive me wherever it was I needed to go. The only reason Natalia conceded was because Teddy said she could come back with him. The plan was for me to stay here overnight while I figured out what to do next. Perhaps it was foolish of me not to have planned for it, but I never once thought about anything past getting out. I assumed I would have more time to figure out the rest.

Flipping on the television, sounds from a vacuum infomercial filled the silence. I flipped through the channels and settled on a live concert, featuring Halsey and another band I wasn’t familiar with. I didn’t particularly care about watching anything on the screen, I just wanted the background noise.

I gingerly stretched out onto the bed, wincing as pain lanced over my ribs. My body hurt right down to the marrow of my bones, covered with a patchwork of bruises reminiscent of a Picasso painting. Once I was as comfortable as I could be in my current state, I stared at the yellowing ceiling and contemplated where I should go in the morning. I’d always liked the waterfront in Cleveland, and housing was affordable there. Perhaps I’d look into catching a Greyhound and head there.

The Tracfone rang and I recognized Natalia’s phone number on the screen.

“Hey, girl,” I said.

“Hey, yourself. I’m back in Cinci now. Teddy just dropped me off. You doing okay?”

“I don’t know. I’m hanging in there, I guess. It’s hard to articulate how I feel. Numb? Lost? I think I just need time to heal, you know?”

“And you will, Gia. You’ll overcome this and be stronger than ever. Mark my words!”

I smiled softly, appreciating the fierceness in Natalia’s tone and wishing I could channel some of that ferocity into myself.

“Thanks again for paying for my room. You didn’t have to do that.”

“Don’t sweat it. It’s like I said when we checked you in—you need to save your cash to get yourself back on your feet. Helping you out today was the least I could do. Any thoughts on where you’re going next?”

“I was actually just thinking about that. I thought maybe Cleveland. It’s affordable and only a few hours away.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t say someplace further,” she observed.

“Oh, I definitely thought about it. I like the idea of being near the ocean, but that usually comes with a hefty price tag. That’s why I’m thinking Cleveland. Lake Erie is going to have to be my ocean,” I joked, although nothing about the situation was remotely funny.

“Going to make your own beach, huh?” Natalia kidded back.

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