Broken Survivor Read Online Free PDF Page A

two arms wrapped around her. “Dad said he’s coming back,” her sister whispered. “And in the meantime, you have me. We have each other, always. Mom would want it that way.”
    “O-okay.” Holly sniffed, and wiped her nose on the sleeve of her shirt. “I miss her so bad, Chrys, so—so bad.”
    “Yeah, me too.”
     
    ***
     
    The cozy apartment was packed to the core, the drinks were flowing, and the music had a good beat. Holly’s friends had convinced her to tag along with them for a night out, but even there she wanted to be left alone. She really was trying to have a good time, but it was hard.
    “How you doing, sweetie?”
    “I’m just peachy, or haven’t you heard?” Holly grimaced, took a big swig of beer, and tried not to tense when Edgar stretched and put his arm around her.
    “Yeah, I heard. I’m sorry about your mom.” He gave her arm a little squeeze.
    She nodded and tried hard not to cry but failed. “Thanks. Damn it!”
    “Hey, hey, it’s okay.” He pulled her closer and wrapped her in a hug.
    “I can’t go anywhere anymore without falling apart. Poor Jules is trying to cheer me up by taking me out, and here I am a never-ending emotional disaster. Maybe I should just find her and go home. Karen thinks I’m at her place anyway, and she’d probably have a coronary if she knew where I really was.”
    “So who’s gonna tell her?” He shrugged and stepped back to give her some breathing room. “Where is your lovely companion anyway?”
    “Ron just swept her away somewhere. Who knows with those two?”
    “Okay then, let’s go find her and escape for a while. You with me?” He held out his hand and gave her a wink.
    Holly chewed her bottom lip as she looked at him skeptically. “An escape, huh?” I probably shouldn’t, but I really, really need one right now. “Sure, I’m game, so let’s do it.”
    His smile got wider when she slipped her hand inside of his and he tugged her forward. “Right this way, then.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, turned toward the stairs, and led her up them.
    Bodies swayed and jumped to the beat as House of Pain’s “Jump Around” blasted through the speakers, and she envied the carefree spirits of her friends. They were typical teenagers out for a night of sin and fun. She wanted that, craved feeling normal again, so she made an effort to, despite feeling as though she was dying a little inside more and more every single day. Was there help for it? Probably not. Would she get over the guilt she harbored? Not likely anytime soon, but for her friends’ sakes and to get a little sense of her sanity back, she would make an effort, which is why she agreed to come to the party tonight.
    “Jules!” Edgar’s voice snapped her back to the present. “Jules!”
    Jules looked up and disentangled herself from her boyfriend’s arms, coming straight for them. “Is everything okay?” Her smile faltered, and concern took its place.
    “Just peachy.” Holly forced a smile she wasn’t sure they bought and shrugged. “I’m trying,” she added and then tried to perk up. “I’ve agreed to ‘escape’ with Edgar for a while, and we came to see if you’d like to join us.”
    “Like I’d let you have fun like that without me.” Jules kissed her cheek and whispered, “Are you sure?” just for her to hear.
    Holly chugged back the rest of her beer for some liquid courage and answered, “Absolutely, lead the way.” It wasn’t a normal thing for her to drink or do drugs, but she’d do almost anything to feel better at that point, so it was worth a shot.
    In the end, their plans changed slightly, and they left the crowded party for a more private one up the street. The evening had a chill as they walked the two block distance, and Holly shivered a little as they approached the unfamiliar house. “So who lives here anyway?”
    “A friend of a friend.” Edgar shrugged and wrapped his arm around her shoulders to bring her closer. “You