My breathing was short and shallow the entire way home. I was certain that I didn’t park straight when I arrived.

Dragging myself from the car and taking one step after the other onto the stairs, I just hoped I wouldn’t collapse before I got inside.

I walked into the door to find my father had returned home and was sitting on the sofa in the living room again waiting for me.

“Kain, where have you…” he began to ask but stopped short as he took in my ...