Still Beating

by Jennifer Hartmann

“We’re going to get out of here, you hear me? I’m going to get us out of here. Just focus on me. I’m the only thing that’s real right now. It’s just you and me, Cora. Focus, okay? Look at me… focus on my voice…”

Look at me, Cora. Focus on me. Nothing else is real. It’s only me and you. I sink underwater once more and let myself drown.

We are bound, chained, tied—to our trauma and to each other. We’re in this together. And yet, I’ve never felt more alone.

“I’ve got you,” I whisper into her hair. “Always.” She can pretend to hate me. If it diminishes even a fraction of her pain, she can fucking pretend all she wants. But I know it’s love… it has to be, because if this isn’t love… Then I’m certain it does not exist.

There’s no shame in the struggle, but you can’t stay there forever.

It’s still beating. You’re still okay. And I still love you. - Dean

We can’t give our heart to another without loving our own first. And that’s exactly what I plan to do.

I never stopped fighting for you and I never will.”

After all, he saved me from a serial killer. He saved me from an overdose. He saved me from myself.