Our footsteps were a dream, echoing down the hallway. Emphasizing the violent sounds coming from our parents’ room. Thwack, thwack, thwack. Cassie’s sweaty hand in mine. One last moment to brace ourselves before opening the door. One last moment before our lives changed forever. But I closed my eyes. And when I did that, I didn’t just shut out the violence and trauma. I shut out Cassie. She told me to run, and I didn’t listen because somehow I felt safer like that. Eyes closed. Ignorant. She ran and I stayed, and we’ve paid for it ever since. We’re still paying for it.
