"Crystal, no!" I yelled, forcing myself off the bed. "I can't leave him! He'll track me down and kill me next time!"
Crystal wheeled on me abruptly. "Listen to yourself, Cathy! You know what? You're right! That moron will kill you next time!" She turned to throw another outfit into the suitcase, and then she threw another one onto the bed. "Here! Get dressed. You're coming with me."
"Crystal, he'll kill you, too!" I said, panicked, stumbling out of bed. "I can't go with you!"
Crystal stepped back to look directly into my eyes. Her bright green eyes flared. "Just answer me one question, Cathy! Do you want to spend the rest of your life with this guy? Because believe me, it'll be a short life."
"I have no other choice…." I gingerly pulled my jeans over my curved legs and hips. Even that slight movement hurt.
Crystal suddenly grabbed my hands and looked directly into my eyes. "Yes, you have a choice. You always have a choice."
