Page 18 of Until Tomorrow Comes
Minutes pass while I bask in the sun, letting the sound of the ocean and gentle breeze around us calm my thoughts for the first time in years.
“Did you move everything you had into joint accounts with him?” His calm voice startles me when he finally talks. It takes a moment for me to process and answer him.
“No. Much to his dismay, I kept my original account separate. He hated it, but I told him it was smart to have separate accounts in case of an emergency.”
My throat tightens remembering the countless fights we had over my personal account. His relentless persistence had nearly worn me down, and I was about to give in, just to make the arguments stop.
But then he hit me.
After that I refused to merge our accounts, more than willing to endure the fights every time the subject came up. I even continued to add a couple hundred dollars to the account a few times each month. Whenever Zack dumped the responsibility of planning another dinner or event in my lap, I made sure to skim a bit off the top, knowing he would never notice.
There was enough saved up for me to get by for at least the next year or two, giving me time to figure out where to go from here.
“Good. If there is anything you want from… your house, just let me know. I’ll go by and get it when I get back to New York.”
He means well with the offer, but I packed everything that I needed the night I left. I turn to face my brother, flashing a forced smile and shake my head.
“I don’t need anything from there. If I come across something I need, I’ll hitch a ride to the nearest Target or order it online.”
Even as I speak that last bit, I realize I’m going to have to create all new accounts or borrow Alan’s log-in information.
The last thing I need is for Zack to track me here all because I ordered deodorant online.
“I added you to my phone plan. Your new phone should be here in a day or two,” Alan says softly.
Tears well in my eyes at his words. I honestly hadn’t even thought about my phone since I texted him that night. Where it ended up, I’m not even sure. Nor do I even care.
Having my phone would just give Zack a way to track me.
Before I can stop it, a sob breaks through. I cover my mouth, but I don’t bother to try to stop the tears this time.
“He’s going to find me.”
Dread settles like a heavy weight in my stomach as I speak the words out loud. The one time I threatened to leave him, he warned me that I would never escape.
Zack’s voice echoes through my mind, paralyzing me where I stand.
I will find you, wherever you think you can escape to, it won’t be far enough.
You’re mine. No one could keep you from me.
Who would wantyou? Only me.
The edges of my vision start to blur, my breath catching in my throat.
Trying to leave was stupid. It’s only going to anger him further.
He’s not going to give up, and when he finds me, the punishment will be the worst it’s ever been. I know he won’t kill me, because he’ll need me alive to clear his name. But after that, there will be hell to pay forembarrassinghim.
Vaguely, I feel hands on me, attempting to turn me, but my body impulsively reacts on its own, thoughts of Zack clouding every thought in my brain. I try to yank myself away, but as I do, pain suddenly rips through my body, taking precedence above everything else.
Strangely enough, it’s this miserable feeling that shakes me from my trance, and slowly brings me back to the present.
Alan stands in front of me, gently holding my biceps, and forcing me to face him.
“There ya go, Kit-Kat. Just breathe,” he encourages softly, his voice calm and light. “Take a deep breath in for me. Yes, good. Now let it out. You’re safe. You got out.”
Inhaling deeply, I focus on my brother.
