RENEE

Monday came speedily, as usual.

Watery eyes fluttering open, I looked at the clock by my bedside with a frown as the numbers blurred together.

The time was 7:00 a.m.

I should be getting ready for my morning shift at work. I told myself this, but I couldn't even get out of bed.

I felt trapped, strewn atop the soft mattress, with swollen eyes and aching bones. It wasn't just the lack of sleep—my nights had been spent crying and bawling my eyes out—or the fatigue.

No, it was ...