“What am I doing?” She whispered, shaking with fear now, and just a little bit of rage.

“She’s mine, you know.” He rambled, dark eyes shining with drunken intensity, “She’s mine. She always was, and she always will be.” And with that, he gave her one more shove that made her teeth rattle, pushed himself off of her, and staggered out her still open door.

She stood there frozen for just a moment, before taking a deep, shaky breath and rushing to close her door. A palpable sense of relief flooded her body as she slid home the deadbolt that had no keyhole on the other side of the door.

“Oh my God!” she breathed to herself. She paced across her living room several times, mind numb, adrenalin pumping in her veins. “Gail!” she exclaimed. Suddenly alarmed that he might be drunk enough to ambush her too

“Where the hell is my phone?” she wondered aloud, as she began to search.

She finally found it with a cracked screen, resting on her tevo, at the base of her television set.

“Shit!” she prayed, “Please don’t be dead!”

Miraculously, it lit up when she hit the on button. She hit Gail’s number on the speed dial. “Come on, answer your phone!” she begged.

Nope. It went to voice mail. “Shit!” She muttered as she paced, and tried again. This time Gail answered on the third ring.

“Hey Holly, what’s up? You know I can’t really talk right now…”

“Nick, it was Nick, “ Holly interrupted with a shaky breath, determined not to start crying. “He was here. He was drunk. He must have picked the locks on my place…”

“He did WHAT?” Gail exploded on the other end of the line. “Oh my God, Holly! Are you ok? I’m gonna kill that son of a bitch!”

“I’m ok, “ She stammered, “I’m ok, he didn’t hurt me. Really Gail, I’m fine.”

“You don’t sound fine.” Gail worried “Listen, I don’t think I can come right now, but I don’t want you to be alone.”

“No, really I’m fine.” Holly replied “I just wanted to warn you, just incase he tries something stupid with you later.”

“Thanks Holly! I’ll keep that in mind! Don’t you worry about me, I can still kick his ass!” Gail practically growled, “Listen, you sit tight. Even if it’s not me, somebody will be there soon. If Nick shows up again, call me right away! Gotta go now. Love you!” And she hung up the phone.