  &quot;Speak.&quot; I tell him once the engine comes to life.
      &quot;My mom has been having these episodes, one minute she is okay, the next when she sees any woman or girl she turns into something else like she has seen a monster.&quot; Andre replies.
      &quot;Oh,&quot; Is all i can say as I finally understand why she was hostile towards me. I am glad there's no bad blood between us, and pray for her recovery.
      &quot;The doctor said she will be okay.&quot; He adds.
      &quot;I'm sorry if I triggered another episode.&quot; I apologize.
      &quot;You didn't know.&quot;
      &quot;Yeah, and you shouldn't have been rough with me.&quot; I say.
      &quot;I'm sorry about that.&quot;
      The rest of the journey we talk and I don't tell him about my abduction or the fact that Quinn knows. Men are so oblivious, he doesn't even notice the bruises the make up failed to hide.


  A day flies by, I spend the entire Tuesday looking for a job or paid internship. I am weeks away from graduating so I might as well get serious in finding employment. It is tough as most require experience which I lack. Also I desperately need an income to find my own apartment. Nimo, Oliver's girlfriend will return tomorrow and I don't need to be a third wheel in their apartment. And all of this is Quinn's fault that I'm homeless.
      Oliver's steps are silent I don't realize he has walked until I spot his shadow in front of me with a suit case and box. I recognize them. They are mine.
      He hangs his bag and his keys. He's always been more organized than me. There's nothing out of place or clothes lying around.
      &quot;How is the job search?&quot; He asks.
      &quot;Frustrating. With the experience and age limit they put, it is like one should have started working in their

  The concrete floor beneath my feet feels heavy, like I am the one bearing its weight. I wish for the distance to Oliver's apartment to triple. I look behind me after I have entered the building. Quinn is still watching me. He should have drove off but he is still here, watching me.
      I square my shoulders. No matter how badly I try to look okay. I can't fake it. My clothes are tattered, my skin has several bruises and dry blood. I breath out and walk towards the elevator. I stand for a while before it opens. I am conflicted, I decide to take the stairs. I am just not ready to face Oliver. I can picture the devastation that he will wear. He should never bear any of my sins.
      The trip doesn't last long as I desire it to be. I find myself knocking on Oliver's door. I expect him to be asleep. However am wrong when he opens the door. He is dressed up like he has been awake for hour

&quot;Speak.&quot; I tell him once the engine comes to life.
      &quot;My mom has been having these episodes, one minute she is okay, the next when she sees any woman or girl she turns into something else like she has seen a monster.&quot; Andre replies.
      &quot;Oh,&quot; Is all i can say as I finally understand why she was hostile towards me. I am glad there's no bad blood between us, and pray for her recovery.
      &quot;The doctor said she will be okay.&quot; He adds.
      &quot;I'm sorry if I triggered another episode.&quot; I apologize.
      &quot;You didn't know.&quot;
      &quot;Yeah, and you shouldn't have been rough with me.&quot; I say.
      &quot;I'm sorry about that.&quot;
      The rest of the journey we talk and I don't tell him about my abduction or the fact that Quinn knows. Men are so oblivious, he doesn't even notice the bruises the make up failed to hide.
      We find a crowd at the school's parking lot. As we drive by I notice Quinn's Lamborghin

Chapter 7