She opened the lids and tipped out both bottles onto the sink, mixing them up so she got roughly an even mix. Olivia was making sure she never woke up this time.

She cupped her hand under the lip of the sink and slid at least a quarter of the tablets into her hand. She put them all in her mouth and took a long drink of the water, washing them down. She had no idea how quickly they worked, so she had to swallow and get into the bath fast. She did the same with the rest of the tablets, all sixty of them, then climbed into the bathtub, sliding down into the water so only her head was visible. Her hair was out, floating around her face like a halo, like an angel. She inhaled the scents from the candles, the burning wicks dancing behind frosted glass holders.

Olivia felt like she was suspended in time. That in her bubble, time moved differently, slower somehow. She started to feel… something. Her mind started to drift, and she couldn’t seem to control where it went.

She felt the weight of Justin on top of her, she couldn’t catch her breath as he pushed her into the dirt. She tried to suck in air and was rewarded with small gasps of oxygen. Wade had a hold of Wren, who broke free from his grasp. Suddenly Justin’s weight lifted off her and she sucked in air, gasping, like a fish on land. She was too shocked to move straightaway, but when she did try to sit up, someone’s hand wrapped around her neck, pinning her to the ground. She reached up and tried to pry the hand from her body, only to hear him laugh.

He moved around to kneel beside her, putting pressure on her throat; again, she had trouble breathing. Wade moved his face closer to hers, inspecting it, grinning like a maniac. He was enjoying this; his hooded eyes were dark with desire. She heard Justin taunting Wren. Fuck you, Wren. I’m gonna fuck you up, then I’m gonna fuck your girl!

Olivia felt each strike of flesh on flesh as Justin punched and kicked Wren to the ground. Her eyes connected with Wren’s as he lay in the dirt, panting. Her eyes, wide with horror; his eyes narrowed in defeat. Justin got in one last kick, catching Wren across the cheek. After that, he didn’t move. She screamed behind the gag, thinking him dead.

‘Where were we, Livvy?’ Justin asked, his voice low even though there was no way his voice would have traveled.