Closet Space

She was exhausted, and she cried herself to sleep.

Her father had eventually came back to let her out. It had been eight o' clock by then. She had slept for three hours on the floor of the hall closet. Her entire body had ached.

She felt the same now, except for the feeling that someone was driving a nail through her skull. Julie sat up and waited for the wave of dizzyness to pass. She felt for the box she kept in the corner opposite her. She found it and popped the lid open. She rummaged through it until she found a flashlight. She clicked it on and squinted as the small room was filled with light. She'd had it on only a minute when she heard footsteps coming down the hall. She quickly turned it back off and stuffed it into the box.

Julie heard the key slip into the lock and turn. David opened the door and stared blankly down at her for a moment, then turned and went back into the living room. Julie rose to her feet.