Chapter 81

Eventually, we get there. Another tense, silent car ride where everyone pretends the others are invisible, and Mico seems to be texting furiously, ignoring the brutal standoff between us. The air is heavy and dense with it, and I try my best to act nonchalant and stop myself from letting anger get the better of me. I’m deflated, my body aching from a night of dancing and intoxication, and now I think I’m suffering the trailing effects of shock. I have no energy left for this and want to go home.

All I want to do is lie down on the plane and block him out until I get there and can go to bed to escape him. I’m weary as the booze wears off and the night’s events take over my shattered mind to traumatise me with visions of half-mangled heads.

Exhausted and waning. I don’t want to fight anymore. I feel all used up and suddenly emotionally fragile. My nerves frayed and on the verge of bawling my eyes out. I guess it’s because I cannot shake that image out of my head, Alexi, on