I raced home in a daze, not caring if anyone saw my torn clothes, drawn only by the promise of safety behind my own door.

If there had been any intersections along the way, I might have rushed across mindlessly in my panic, possibly getting hit by a car and ruining some poor driver's life...

"Click." Finally home.

I collapsed the moment I locked the door, finally letting myself break down in tears.

I soaked in a hot bath for ages, only ...