Keith

The door shuts behind me with a final click that echoes like a hammer striking stone. My body moves on instinct, each step heavy, dragging me toward my room.

I don’t remember climbing the stairs, don’t remember pushing the door open, but suddenly I’m there, in the hollow silence of my own space. I slam it shut, twisting the lock as though the simple barrier could hold back the pain trying to rip me apart.

My back presses against the door, and I slide down to the floor. My chest heaves, my breath ragged and shallow. My hands clutch at my hair, tugging hard enough to sting, but the...