by Lenee Daniels

Created on: November 07, 2009

Her body wasn't enough. He wanted her soul. "No one will ever love you like I do." Fierce twisted words weave through her nightmare like a rope around her neck. "Don't disobey me; this is for your own good." "If you weren't so beautiful this wouldn't happen." Someone is weeping and begging. "If you love me you will share yourself with my friend." Nausea comes now, so deep and violent it feels like pieces of her stomach are coming up onto the bed. Coughing, her throat burns and her neck is raw from her own hands. As she groggily comes to awareness she realizes something smells bad, really bad. Oh God not again, bits of her bedtime snack lies in violent disarray around her head, a perfect mirror to her life. If only he would go back to hell where he belongs and leave her dreams alone. Isn't it horrendous enough for him to haunt her every waking moment?

Smiling brightly, Sheri walks into the bookstore. Cringing with every step, every thought, she keeps her plastic happiness wrapped around her head but her eyes are lifeless, telling the truth of her existence. "May I help you pick out a book," she cheerfully asks. She wonders why her head is pounding again, yet she knows. I must fake my way through this day; then I can go home and feel better she lies to herself. Hearing her distant voice toss out words at an unnatural pitch, "The one with the dragon and knight on the cover might be a good fiction choice," she comprehends that she is not fully connected. Realizing she is drifting into the land of the lost, that disconnected universe so often visited, she evokes all her strength to pull herself together before her customer notices. Her rent is due. She must keep this job.

The front door bangs open and as she whirls around, a glimpse of someone tall, middle-aged and a male with a receding brown hairline is in her line of vision. It is more than she can endure. Sleepless nights, constant whisperings, and sparse nourishment are taking their toll. Sweat beads on her forehead, she can no longer hear the customer's voice, lights swirl before her eyes, and once again, she hits the floor.

"Sheri, Sheri are you okay?" Concerned pairs of eyes peer down on her. Mrs. Franks, her boss, is worried, however a noticeable edge has crept into her voice this time. "Sheri, you really need to see a doctor. This has been happening almost every week since Christmas. I really must insist you not come back to work until you are cleared by a physician." Ha! If only she realized that Sheri

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