“Wait up, Karina!”

Derek kept shouting and running after Karina. Through the front yard then to the staircase and to the foyer upstairs, Karina then reached out and opened the door to her bedroom and walked in.

But, just as she attempted to close the door and maybe bolted it from inside, Derek had stepped between her and the space.

“I want to be alone, Derek, please,” Karina begged but Derek seemed not to have it because he struggled and came into the room.

“I can’t leave you to be alone, Karina, I’m sorry,” his voice was as calm as the calm expression on his face.

Karina knew that Derek...