And she remained a mystery. A puzzle in pieces, a riddle unsolved.

Chapter 2 The cold desert air rushed against my face. Wind scattering my hair around, whipping pieces against my cheek. The sting brought back memories of fear, pain and despair. Suddenly I was transported to before I left the apartment, my home. Twisting and turning down the long, barren road paralleled to my long, torturous relationship with David and memories were instantly brought back. At first they were sweet; like meeting in our local cafe over our love of lemon Danishes, long walks on the California beach feet covered in sand, moving in together decorating a place that would finally be ours. Soon enough the good memories were replaced by clouded distortions of drugs, anger and fear that soon controlled my #life. David and I, we were not perfect people, not even close to the perfect couple. But to us we had each other and that's all that mattered. But our #lifestyle caught up to us, well him as he slowly lost himself on the rocks and became confused with real #life. As he slipped quickly down the rabbit hole I began to trickle down after him, until he reached the bottom. Anger flooded his bloodstream, anger at me as he lashed out at whoever was closest to him. People began to stare when the scars and bruises became more and more noticeable. But I put up with it because I loved David, I still do. It's this toxic love that holds us in, keeps us captive in its grasp, haunting us until only bones are left. Sunday when I came home to find a destroyed house and David passed out on the couch I knew I had enough. This was not the #life for me. This was not the #life for anyone. I wrote a note and I ran. The car jerked instinctively around the coyote, nearly falling of the road but pulling me back into reality. I found myself in tears at the memory and pulled over to the side of the road. The long, empty, agonizing road. Any advice would be very helpful, I've never written a story before.

Chapter One? I walked into the diner as the dusk rolled into the desert. It's been a long day driving I thought to myself as I took a seat at the 50s style counter. Red fluorescent lights illuminated the corner of the room and pink lamps hung from the ceiling. I ordered a coffee from the waitress, a late middle aged woman who used the wrong color of red hair dye, and continued to think about my trip. I knew I had a long way to go and no time to stop for sleep tonight, the clock was ticking and I was already wasting time being here. By the time I finished my second cup of coffee I realized that anyone could easily find me by tracking my cell phone, so on my way out I ran over it in the parking lot, ruining the signal. I did not want to be found, running away was my choice and I intended to never come back. This is how #life is going to be now, one road at a time.

You do know that you're doing this to yourself, this destruction, this harm, these feelings. They are all things you imagined, made up in your mind. A figment of twisted reality has distorted your brain. False promises of empty love and foolish hope etched into your side, stinging at every breath. Unable to move you remain paralyzed in this fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of it all keeps you captive in its grasp filling your head with these fictional ideas. Walls are built up with laughter, smiles, trust and affection are burned to the ground by reality. But that's the truth in it all, nothing is ever what it seems and the sadness, it always returns.

Beginning First hold my hand Take a deep breath and hold me close, never let go. Lay with me under the stars Bodies entwined under heaven above. Breathe me in and relax Kiss me slowly, take your time. Lay with me when I can't sleep Listening to my every heart beat. (Sorry for the quality? I haven't written in a while)