I remember the house with the plastic hair and the broken window. That was the safest night's sleep I'd had in months.

#hearth

I remember being locked in the bathroom of a convicted fraud. I remember showing up to work with a swollen, bruised neck and no recollection of what happened.

#hearth

I remember an invitation to a crowded hotel room. I remember the mask, the shower and the milk-dirt.

#hearth

I remember the welts on my back that left permanent scars. I remember being unable to stand on the plastic sheet and watching myself vomit from the ceiling. I remember dirty toes.

#hearth

I remember fighting for breath. I remember passing out. I remember fingermarks on my neck and clothing all ripped.

#hearth

I remember a grave marked with an old pot. I remember inverted pentagram gates. I remember the smell of excess. I remember saying stop.

#hearth

I remember chains wrapped around knuckles. I remember dirty blades. I remember blood. I remember notes pushed through boxes threatening the truth.

#hearth

I remember her coming upstairs with a kitchen knife. I remember her stopping, staring. I remember fleeing with a gift wrapped in Christmas paper and spending the night on the beach.

#hearth