Unbreakable

The garden is more peaceful than you expected, with gravel paths lined with brightly colored flowers. Hummingbirds and butterflies dance among the blossoms. A narrow creek burbles, passing in and out of dappled sunlight. Squirrels leap from tree to tree and chase each other around the statues.

You pause to watch, and when you return to the trail, she’s there, watching you. A doubt you never admit to feeling crawls across your spine, but it’s too late.

Her deep brown eyes gaze into yours, ...