Bound to the Unseen (Short Story)

He has a strong grip around her neck. She begs and pleads to be released but can’t utter a sound. She sits in stillness with her eyes closed, attempting to ease the tension in her body and surrender but is resistant, yet her body now feels numb and powerless. He gets tired and releases its grip. She feels at ease but is now on high alert. He can return at any moment. It's the next day, and she tries to find the mental and physical strength to stay awake. While withering in humanity, she moves about with a weightless dread, cracking smiles and sharing little laughter, hoping no one notices the dark shadows of her soul. 

When she returns home, the stars whisper the sun to sleep as dusk reclaims the sky. She lays beneath the weight of silence, wishing for the solace of sleep. Then suddenly, he awakes in the middle of the night, seeking an audience. Her heart drops as she hears him creeping through the bedroom door. She shuts her eyes tight, praying he’ll let her be. He stands over her numb body as she holds her breath. She rebukes him, praying God will hear her cry through the loud, restless drum in her chest. She takes a deep breath, sits up, and is reunited with his tight grip around her neck. She finds the strength to grab her Bible and pray until her mouth is sore from speaking in tongues. The loud, restless drum in her chest beats faster, but she continues to seek spiritual refuge.

He grows angrier and grips her neck tighter, she feels as if she's drowning in air. While shut, silent floods begin to fill her eyes like two raging seas. She patiently awaits this storm to end. She's exhausted and just wants to sleep, but there is no rest for a troubled soul. Why can't she just walk away? Why does she continue to tolerate this much abuse?.. Give it is God, they say, she chooses to trust although she grows weary. She wants to believe that all this will one day come to an end. She seeks guidance as she realizes she can no longer suffer in silence….

EXT. THERAPIST OFFICE - EVENING

Kim sits quietly as she looks down at her reflection in her shiny patent leather Mary Jane pumps. She slightly lifts her head and sees the therapist, who is staring at her with a look of curiosity

Therapist

Hi Kim, so what brings you in today? 

Kim takes a moment, gives the front entrance door a slight glance as she grips her neck, and then looks back at her therapist. She clears her throat

Kim (36)

Anxiety has been keeping me up at night, and I need help.