The library was closed. She locked the doors, shut down the front desk, put away the last of the books that were left behind on the tables. When the work was done, she pulled her own book from her bag and curled up on the couch by the windows, reading by the waning light of the late afternoon sun. She heard her phone buzz again in her purse, but ignored it. Was that the tenth missed call? The eleventh?
She read until it was too dark to make out the words on the page. That’s when she saw headlights in the parking lot, heard the angry, urgent pounding against the front door. She closed the book, pulling up the collar on her shirt for the 100th time that day to conceal the blue-black finger marks on her neck. She fumbled in the dark for her phone and with trembling hands, for the first time, she dialed 911. He’d invaded her last safe haven.
Jennifer Terry 
Nice. Well played.
🙂 thank you
Great short. I like the idea that surrounded by books she felt courageous enough to put an end to it.
Thank you!
Good for her for finally calling the police! Great story, Jenn! Very intense!
I’m glad she sought help too. Thank you!
She was finally pushed to her limit when he was about to invade her last place of safety and joy of reading. I hope she was not too late in finally contacting the police. Wonderful story.
Yes, I think she realized that no place would be safe as long as this man was in her life. Thank you!
Excellent story! Very dark, but hopefully now she’s called the police she can get the protection she needs.
Thank you!
Great story! I’m glad she finally got the courage to protect herself!
I am too. Thank you!
She got strength from the books! Nice story.
Books can be powerful! Thank you 🙂
This was fantastic, Jenn! I love that the books were her safe haven, and I love that they were the last straw for her. No man comes between a woman and her books. I’d like to think there’s a happy ending here 🙂
Exactly! Don’t come between me and my books. Thank you so much.
i hope the police will be in time. poor lady and her books. well at least she was among the things she loved, whatever they final outcome. nice one!
I agree. Hopefully he won’t break through the doors and the police will get there in town.
Glad she finally called the police on the abusive jerk. Her last safe place and he won’t leave her be. I hope he goes away for a long while. Great write!
Yes, I think him invading her sanctuary angered her so much that it actually empowered her. Thank you so much!
Hmm! She should seek for help asap.
I agree! Thanks for reading.