Ashley's vision spun, her chest feeling tight as she tried to draw a breath. She widened her eyes, her neck taut as she gazed down. Her hands trembled as blood covered both her palms.
"... fuck," she breathed out, touching her throbbing head, blood clinging to her skin and hair.
She closed her eyes and breathed out heavily. Her complexion was paler than usual, the pounding in her head growing. Questions flooded her mind:
How in the world did this happen?
Just how did it turn out like this?
Why did she end up here?
Question after question ran through her head until every single thought disappeared without a trace.
Slowly, Ashley opened her eyes as a glint flickered in her sharp gaze.
"Right," she whispered, her entire body — which had been shaking moments ago — stilling with calm. "It's because… I lowered my guard."
*****
[FOUR HOURS AGO]
"You said you've never been to one — a family day."
