After several minutes of hearing gut-wrenching punches, she begins to make a choking sound, gasping for air. Panic instantly rises and I’m suddenly about to vomit.
My breath hitches as Layla co
ntinues to gasp for air. I have to save her.
I take a deep breath and muster up the last shred of energy I have left, forcefully lifting myself to stand. I rush into him and try to pull Layla out of his grasp.
“Let go of her!”
All of a sudden, a sharp and instant pain in my lower right side explodes and I groan in agony. There is a tug at my side and I fall back to the floor. Pressing my hand to my side, I feel a gush of blood rushing out. Fuck, I’ve been stabbed.
I reach my other hand up toward Layla and grab a sliver of her dress. Her body sways back and forth as he continues to strangle her with his hands. Her gasping breaths burn into my skull as I try to form another plan of attack.
“Please stop! I’ll behave! Just stop!”
The gasps stop and her whimpers cease. At that moment, her body slumps to the floor next to me and I slide toward her. I grab hold of her wrist, trying to find a pulse. Please…please…
I press my fingers against her wrist and feel…nothing. No pulse, not even a blip.
I rest my head on her chest to listen for a heartbeat, but all I hear is silence. A pang of heartbreak scorches through my soul as I hold on to her lifeless body.
Tears gush down my face, “No!!! Please don’t leave me! Layla, please.”
I shake her body, hoping to revive her anyway possible. I pound her chest hard but nothing happens. No sign of life.
“Please, Layla, please. I need you here with me. I can’t get through this without you.”
As I cry into her lifeless body, he grabs my arm and I yank it out of his grasp.
“Don’t fuckin’ touch me! You did your job, now leave me alone!”
His evil chuckle vibrates, “Remember, this is your fault.”
And with that, he stands up and walks away, exiting the room.
The darkness surrounds us as I hold on to her with the last amount of hope and love I have left. The uncontrollable wails and sobs escape from within and echo off the dark walls in the room. The hole in my chest expands as my heart rips into shreds with the loss of another loved one.
Why? Why is this happening to me?
I stay with her for as long as I’m locked down here, never letting go. The night passes by and I lose track of time. My stomach growls with hunger and my dehydrated body aches with thirst. I promised I would never leave her, so I lie at her side until someone collects me.
For the next few days, I sleep with Layla, always by her side, just as promised.
I’ll never forget you, Layla.
Trish comes into my room and sits on the bed next to me.
She grabs hold of my hand and squeezes, “How are you doing?”
I ignore her question and stare out into space.
She breathes a deep sigh, releases my hand, and stands up from the bed.
She turns to face me, “Raya, I know you’re still hurting, but it’s been four months. You can’t shut me out. Please, talk to me. I want to help you.”
Utter silence is my only response.
She crosses her arms in front of her, “This does not help. You won’t survive down here without me. I want to help you.”