*Rose*

I sit at the small table in my room and look at the words in the book in front of me without fully comprehending the text. All I see are letters and words splayed throughout the page. Stabbing pain on the left side of my lower abdomen makes me wince. I can’t help but make a faint moaning sound.

After Eli left, I hadn’t slept quite right as the dull ache kept me awake. Again, I feel an urgent need to pee, so I stand up and head for the bathroom. I usually go to the ...