The urge, it's so bad
Needing all you have
Sundown's solace, severed fractured
Dim all the lights tonight
You know all my weaknesses (…)
*note to self: burn this verse
I cannot stay, I cannot leave
Your voice haunts me in my sleep dreams
So you close the doors and throw the keys
Pin me down and make me scream
The highest of highs, the lowest of lows
*note to self: you're not writing depressing goddamn poetry, for fuck's sake!
I hate you. I hate you, I hate you, I HATE you
I FUCKING HATE THIS
Whisper words of love to me,
Release me when I sway
And when I fall in defeat…
Leave my broken heart to bleed
- Unfinished lyrics written by Hailey Logan
Hailey was still in the city three weeks later. She hadn't heard from James. No message. No call.
Nothing.
Two days after the night when James had left, Hailey visited Shane. When she'd returned to her apartment later that afternoon, her duffel and guitar stood in the middle of her living area.
Hailey hadn't cried the night after James had left, like a naive part of her was still hoping he'd turn up and tell her it had all been a mistake. She'd even ignored the automatically rejected messages she'd tried to send James on her datapad; they had stated James' account was nonexistent, even though he'd sometimes sent messages from that account to her while she was in the valley.
But when she saw her luggage, her world came crashing down on her, as if the return of her duffel and guitar were symbolic for the end of a chapter in her life. She'd cried for hours, until the tears stopped coming. She was broken and numb–a familiar experience–but this time was far worse than James' previous rejection.
This time she'd held him, closed him deep inside her heart. She'd given herself to him, had trusted him with her heart, had shared her body, had surrendered her soul... And he'd walked away from it all, like it had been nothing.
A day after her luggage had been dumped in her home, the car in front of her apartment was gone. It was as if the past months hadn't happened, but for the memories she had. The days blended into each other and her nights were worse than before. Hailey barely slept anymore. Instead, she used her time to go through her martial arts routine. Sometimes it wore her down enough to sleep. Sometimes.
After a week her pillows didn't smell like James anymore. Putting clean sheets on the bed, Hailey hoped she could forget him. He seemed to have forgotten her, so it was worth the try. That hope proved to be false.
Even music held no appeal. Hailey was unable to touch her instruments or listen to music without thinking of James. Every time she saw her guitar, a veil of sorrow covered her, encasing her in even more agony than she already felt. Where music had banished her other nightmares, it wasn't able to reach her this time.
The only moments she recalled feeling remotely human was when she'd visited Shane and Morgan. She was able to put up a front for Shane, had done so from the moment she'd returned inside the bar to tell him she was going home. He'd walked with her while she'd plastered a smile on her face and chatted with him to keep him from drowning in his own sorrows. He'd slept on the couch and had left for the hospital early the next day.
Hailey was happy–as much as she was able to feel happiness right now–that she'd kept this from Shane. He had other things to worry about than her messed up love life, especially since Morgan's state was getting worse.
Morgan was becoming more and more dependent of the medical machines to regulate his temperature and vitals. Several treatments were initiated, but nothing seemed to help the gentle teenage boy.
Anger was the only thing fueling Hailey. A thousand questions spun through her head, yet she couldn't find a solid answer to any of them. Maybe James thought he wanted her because they had physical chemistry but when push came to shove, he realized he didn't love her. Maybe something had gone wrong and the Squad was in need of his assistance, and he couldn't deal with her and another problem at the same time. Maybe he'd just known that they were never meant to last, had seen it with his foresight.
Maybe, maybe, maybe…
Insecurity spiked several times, still, Hailey couldn't shake the certainty that something bad had happened which had caused James to leave. His feelings for her had always seemed unadulterated, intense, raw… Though, as proven by his sudden departure and lack of communication since, she obviously hadn't known him as well as she'd thought. His behavior the night he left had changed so suddenly; Hailey hadn't known what hit her. And though she still believed this wasn't about her conversation with Shane–where she'd implied blocking the telepathic connection with James–she couldn't figure out what the problem had been.
It didn't matter.
There was only silence and no answers to her questions. There was no taunting and pushing until he showed her his true self.
There was just… nothing.
The sound of her phone snapped her out of her sulking thoughts. Hailey saw it was her friend and co-worker Aiseline calling. After a short conversation Aiseline persuaded Hailey to come along on a shopping spree. The school where Hailey used to work held a summer gala event for the senior students in two weeks and Aiseline had asked Hailey to help her pick a dress.
Before leaving her apartment, Hailey quickly smeared on some make up to cover up the dark smudges under her eyes. After applying a nude lipstick, she grabbed her purse and left on foot, meeting Aiseline at a small café on their route to the boutique.
The summer air swept warmth against her skin. Wearing a dark blue top with a lace back and three-quarter length jeans, Hailey tied her hair in a high ponytail as she walked through the crowded streets. It seemed the nice weather had a positive effect on everyone's mood. Maybe it could help her a little as well.
"Hailey!" A tall, slender brunette beamed at her, standing out from the crowd in her tangerine sundress and gladiator heels.
Hailey never understood how Aiseline did it, but she'd never seen her friend wear anything but four-inch heels. It made her look like a model and students were often in awe of the classical beauty of the other woman. That was, until they discovered that Aiseline was just as demanding as every other teacher they had.
Never judge a book by its cover.
The tight embrace from her beautiful friend comforted Hailey more than she could have thought.
"Hello, gorgeous." Hailey smiled as she hugged Aiseline back.
Aiseline leaned back and studied Hailey's face. A small frown appeared between her perfectly manicured eyebrows. "Shane told me you were back in town," she hooked her arm through Hailey's and pulled her along. "Are you alright?"
Hailey rolled her eyes. "Don't even get me started," she answered truthfully without getting too much into the mess that was her life right now.
Even though Aiseline knew about Hailey's telekinetic abilities, she wasn't one of the Forgotten. Aside from that, she didn't know of the new and erratic ability that lurked over Hailey's life like a dark shadow. Not wanting Aiseline to worry, Hailey hadn't told her. Aiseline was easily stressed, and Hailey didn't want to burden her friend.
Hailey still remembered the last time when children had missed a deadline to hand in a history assignment Aiseline had given them. Aiseline had called them and their parents ten times before one of the students had answered, telling her they'd 'totally forgotten about it' and had gone to the gym together. Because it was an assignment that was essential for the students' graduation, Aiseline had a fit before extending the deadline, as the stress brought on red blotches that marked her flawless peach skin and turned her eyes frantic.
No way Hailey would let her friend fuss over something that was massively worse than getting an F to bring down your average.
They chatted as they walked to the small boutique Aiseline wanted to check out. Hailey felt a little lighter, as if some of the weight from James' departure was temporarily lifted from her heart.
Aiseline's cheery character turned out to be more infectious than the weather, and Hailey found herself smiling true for the first time in weeks. When her heart clenched at that little bit of happiness, she slammed down the ugly memories and concentrated on spending time with her friend.
"Will you come?" Aiseline asked from the fitting room after dismissing a beautiful silk gown in a soft gold color that was a little too revealing to be appropriate for a school event.
Hailey shook her head as she sat down on the small sofa in the fitting area, mirrors reflecting her utterly unimpressive appearance in comparison to Aiseline. "I don't think I should."
"Why not?" Aiseline stuck her head through the curtains. "You're still one of the faculty members as far as I'm concerned. You promised me you'd come back after your sabbatical."
Ha. Sabbatical. Good one.
When Aiseline saw Hailey's expression, her features softened. "The kids would love to see you again, even if you'd only come for an hour."
Hailey shrugged when Aiseline popped back into the fitting room. "Even if I'd come, I wouldn't know what to wear."
Aiseline slid back the curtains to reveal a royal blue dress with a modest neckline, accenting her slender build and fanning out at the bottom. "How convenient we're in a dress store!" She waggled her eyebrows as she strode towards the wall of mirrors. "We can choose something nice right away."
Hailey tried to keep a straight face but failed when Aiseline winked continuously with one eye.
"You're terrible." Hailey shook her head at the kiss her friend blew to her mirror image. "So this was all premeditated?"
Her friend's face was suddenly extremely innocent, but for the glimmer in her hazel eyes.
"Damn it," Hailey muttered as she pushed herself up from the comfortable sofa. "Remind me to punch Shane when I see him." Even though she didn't feel like playing dress up right now, she couldn't reject her friend's efforts so harshly. Hailey decided to go for it.
Why the hell not, right? It's not like you've got anything to lose.
One hour later, Aiseline decided on a copper-colored empire gown that made her look like a deity. Hailey applauded when Aiseline twirled around, giddy with her new purchase.
After trying on several dresses, a few of which chosen by her friend, Hailey stepped out of the fitting room wearing an emerald organza dress.
Gasping, Aiseline pulled her in front of the mirrored wall. "You look absolutely stunning, Hales! This is definitely the one."
Hailey watched her reflection and had to agree. Even though she wasn't sure if she'd attend the event–the possibility of her abilities snapping out of control still too much a risk–the dress was wonderful.
The soft material flowed around her and hugged her every curve. The top was asymmetrical, diagonally running over her left shoulder, leaving her right one bare. A narrow gold belt slung around the waist, the fine chains reaching to the bottom where the skirt fanned out a little.
When she took a few steps, she felt rather than saw a hidden slit that ran up to her thigh. The design was quite clever, as it didn't reveal her leg since the fabric was layered over the slit but made her movements less restricted.
"Any man that sees you will drool all over you." Her friend suggestively arched her eyebrow as she elbowed Hailey gently.
Hailey felt her heart tighten.
"I don't want them. It's you. It'll only ever be you."
She released a breath and smiled at her friend, not wanting Aiseline to see her breaking down. "You're right, it's amazing and comfortable. I'm taking it."
"Yes, girl!" Aiseline whooped as she clapped her hands.
Hailey felt her mask slipping and quickly walked back into the fitting room to change. She slumped down on the narrow bench in the small space, rubbing her hands over her face. Keep it together Hales.
Hailey inhaled and exhaled a couple of times and quickly changed into her casual outfit.
After paying for the dresses, they decided to grab another coffee. They chatted for another hour before Hailey waved Aiseline goodbye and went back to her apartment.
When she got home, she dumped her purse on the coffee table in front of her sofa and hung her new dress in her bedroom closet.
Hailey was glad she'd spent some time with her friend. Meeting up was always fun with Aiseline, since she rarely pushed personal issues. It made for easy conversation; exactly what Hailey needed at the moment.
"Staying together is the problem."
Damn Arrow. Why wouldn't he just disappear from her mind as a abruptly as he did from her life?
Reminding herself that not the entire world revolved around her and there was someone who needed her support right now, Hailey picked up her phone and called Shane.
Yesterday, their father had left for Vancouver to pick up some personal belongings since his stay in New York was longer than he expected. He hadn't finished the case he was working on but didn't want to stay away from his sons for another extended period of time when Morgan was getting sicker.
Hailey swallowed. Everybody hoped Morgan would have gotten better in the past weeks, yet that hope proved to be in vain. The young boy had been in a coma-like state for almost a month now.
After a short conversation in which Hailey told Shane she'd swing by the hospital late in the afternoon, she forced herself to eat an apple. She looked at her piano as she sat on the edge of the sofa.
Sighing, she placed the half-eaten fruit on her coffee table and sat down on the small stool in front of her piano. She slid her fingers across the keys and looked at the sheet music on top of the dark brown surface. Closing her eyes, Hailey placed her hands on the keys and started playing a classical piece that was so fitting to her mood, shivers ran up her spine at the haunting melody. Hailey played it over and over again, pouring her pain in her music, losing herself in the echoes of sound.
When she finally stopped, she noticed it was already getting dark outside. "Shit!"
She shot up and arched her back, strained from sitting in the same position for almost two hours. Quickly grabbing her black trench coat, Hailey slid her feet in grey flats and ran out of her apartment to the garage in the basement of the building. She started her small purple city car and drove to the hospital.
When she finally reached Morgan's floor, Hailey saw she was thirty minutes later than she'd intended, and gently knocked on the door of Morgan's hospital room. When she heard nothing, she quietly opened the door.
"You know what I mean," the murmur of Shane's raw voice sounded through the space as a regulated beep and a hum acted as background noise. "There are a lot of guys who need a good guy to take care of them." A sigh. "I think you should ask him out. No excuses. He'll love to go to the dance with you."
Hailey opened the door a little further and slipped inside without interrupting.
"No, lil' bro, no excuses. He'll love it when you make the first move."
She smiled as she stepped closer.
"And he'll love flowers. Girls always do. Even if they're stupid like Hales and tell you they don't like Valentine's day or romantic gestures." Shane tipped up his head from his seated position next to Morgan's bed. "A couple of friends from school came to visit today. One of the guys seemed… interested."
Hailey shook her head and bent down to hug her friend. "Don't listen to Shane, Morgan." She looked at the teenage boy, his cheeks sunken and lips pale. She bit her lower lip to stop it from trembling. She still wasn't used to seeing Morgan this way; her heart shredding at the sight of the tubes in his arms and machines around the bed.
Clearing her throat, she said, "Girls and guys like men who're confident and funny. Determined but also thoughtful."
Hmm… That's an apt description of someone you know.
Shutting up the unhelpful voice in her mind, she swallowed past the lump in her throat and ruffled Shane's perfectly styled hair. "That's why your brother doesn't get the girls. He's too in love with his jetcycles and overly confident in his seductive abilities, while he has zero game."
Shane grinned as he wrapped his arm around her hips. "Ouch. I hope your love interest doesn't have sharp claws like Hailey the cat-witch." He gave Hailey a lopsided smile. "The marks they leave you with sting."
Hailey snorted, all too familiar with Shane's encounter with a dominant leopard female who'd given him a run for his money. Unfortunately for Shane, the she-leopard had shot him a rueful smile and thanked him for the ride, then continued roaming around the world. There had been no hard feelings; for all Shane's easy smiles and flirting, he never truly gave his heart away.
Smart man. Watch and learn, Hales…
"Witch, I'll take. Cats, not so much," Hailey said.
No, you don't like the cats, do you? You'd rather tangle with the lone wolf.
No. Not anymore.
Hailey exhaled quietly and looked at Shane when he got up from his chair.
"You mind sitting with him for a while?" He stretched in a very feline way, making Hailey shake her head. "I want to take a quick shower."
She cupped his cheek in an affectionate way that spoke of the deep friendship between them. "Of course. Go," she pushed at his shoulder and sat down in the chair next to Morgan's bed.
When Shane grabbed his bag and left the room, Hailey focused on Morgan as she took his hand. "Good God, sweetheart. You've gotten all of us so worried." She closed her eyes and leaned forward, talking to Morgan for a few minutes about the acting classes she'd given to the young Arrows without mentioning their status as Arrows.
When she entered the ShadowNet, she could still see Morgan's star, but it had dimmed so, so much from the bright, colorful light he usually radiated. Hailey mentally jumped on the connection with Morgan, and felt so little feedback it made her sniff.
Please, darling. Tell us what's wrong. Show us.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. If you can hear us, let us know. She wiped her other hand over his forehead, careful not to nudge the devices on his temples as she stroked Morgan's dark hair. We know you're fighting in there. Your brother and father are fighting here, just like the medics. Hang in there, okay?
"Aww Hales," Shane's voice hitched as he hugged her from his position behind her chair. His damp hair stuck to her temple, and Hailey wrapped her hands around his arms.
"I'm sorry," she whispered when Shane released her.
Shane went on his haunches next to her. "Don't be. I know you love him like a little brother. He loves you like a sister, too."
Hailey nodded and wiped away her tears with the back of her hands.
"Go home, Hales." Shane's eyes turned a dark, dark green, his serious, angry expression coming from deep within his core, the parts he rarely showed anyone. "I don't know what that bodyguard of yours did, but I'm going to break his pretty face for putting that look in your eyes. It's been weeks."
Hailey stiffened.
Arching his eyebrow, Shane nudged her shoulder. "We've known each other for over fourteen years." He shrugged. "I can tell."
Hailey smiled shakily and hugged her friend. "I didn't want to bother you with it. It's such a stupid thing considering your circumstances." She glanced at Morgan.
Shane shrugged again. "Maybe I'll feel better if I get to hit him."
Hailey stood up and ignored her clenching heart. "Too bad we'll never see him again."
Morgan's condition declined rapidly two days after the visit. Hailey had gone to the hospital in the morning, only to find grief in Shane's eyes.
Frustrated, she'd gone through her martial arts routine a couple of times during the day. It didn't help to find peace in her reeling thoughts, her mind going in circles. Sighing, she decided to go for a run and put on some leggings and an oversized hoodie.
She hadn't heard from Aubry after she'd told him she was back in the city a few days ago. He'd asked her if her the Arrow training regimen had helped. She'd told him she was done and completely in control.
A humorless laugh escaped Hailey's throat at that blatant lie while she quickly braided her hair. She'd tell Aubry when she was ready. Until then, she'd stay secluded to her apartment and continue her training schedule to gain control. It was the only thing she could focus on without feeling sorry for herself all the time.
Hailey hated that she'd been reduced to this desperate, wailing and wistful creature, and used the anger to amp herself up. She refused to turn into a bitter shadow of herself.
She'd adored James.
Who are you kidding?
She still adored him. And he'd warned her: he had no idea how to deal with this, with her. He'd tried. Just not as hard as she wished he had.
Gritting her teeth at that thought, Hailey tied her sneakers and stepped outside after putting the hood of her black sweatshirt over her head.
She stretched for a few minutes and started running, lightly boosting her strides with her Tk. The wind felt crisp against her cheeks as her feet stomped on the pavement. After turning onto a street that was less crowded, she used her ability to burst forward, running at high speed while concentrating on her strides and her surroundings in order to keep herself from falling or bumping into someone.
The air was turning a greenish hue as the sun went down. Lights in apartments and office buildings flicked on.
The events of the past weeks had numbed her so, Hailey hadn't been aware of running alone in the dark until she was several miles away from home. Coming to a sudden stop, she looked around the park where she'd ended up.
Tall trees cast dark shadows on the gravel path that curled around a small pond. Cars drove past the side of the small park, bathing several areas of the square in bright white light. There were no other people in the park, yet the quiet didn't feel soothing or calm. It felt eerie.
Hailey jerked when she heard a dog bark somewhere in the distance. Then she noticed a rustling sound to her right.
A shiver crept past her spine.
She closed her eyes briefly and focused on keeping her emotions in check.
No. There were no trees and grass that night. Only a dark alley.
Exhaling shakily, she turned around and started running back the way she came. Her feet pounded on the gravel as she used a moderate amount of Tk to accelerate her pace. Another car passed, and she saw a silhouette of a person several yards to her left. The person stirred.
Nightmares vivid and heart slamming in her chest, Hailey burst out her Tk and ran. She couldn't remember ever running so fast, her focus on getting away as quickly as possible. Her hood flipped back after two strides and the wind roared loud in her ears as it crashed against her face, the sensation almost painful. Tears stung in the corners of her eyes, caused by the speed and the air pressure, but Hailey ignored the biting sensation and kept on running.
She didn't care if she was being a coward for running away from a dubious situation. She was still half traumatized as a result of her previous bad experience and she didn't want to add another trauma to it. Grateful for James' lessons, she moved her body until her strides covered several yards at a time. Moments later she found herself in a busy market area a few blocks away from her house.
Hailey stopped running full tilt and let go of her focused Tk. Her movements slowed down until she stood still. The humming sounds of people talking and sellers shouting prices to customers filled the air. She jerked when someone walked into her, scowling at her for coming to such a sudden halt.
Moving to a less crowded corner of the street, Hailey lowered to her haunches and braced her elbows on her thighs as she rested her head in her hands. Her lungs burned from exertion and her heart thudded in an uncontrolled rhythm.
Breathe, Hales. It probably was nothing. Someone walking their dog or taking a stroll.
Her breathing had regulated by the time several minutes passed and she hauled herself up. After taking a few moments to let her nerves calm down–as well as they would right now–she put her hands in the pockets of her shirt and started walking through the crowd.
A hand clasped around her arm and Hailey let out a startled gasp.
In a flash she stood with her back against a wall in an alley while a dark figure hovered over her, holding her by her shoulders. Fear spiking, she almost slammed out her Tk with her hands.
Then she recognized the azure eyes that looked down on her.
"You idiot!" she cried out while her heart couldn't decide whether to jerk in her chest or freeze at the sight of him. "I almost hurt you!"
That deep, dark voice she had missed so much resonated through her entire being. "I would have been able to deflect your attack." His tone was curt, but the sound of him… It felt like balm to her wounded soul, nonetheless.
No!
Hailey pushed him away and James stepped back as his hands curled into fists.
"Really?" she exclaimed. "Really?"
She couldn't stop her voice from rising, all her emotions gushing out at the sight of him. Hailey couldn't play it distant and cool. She might be an expert at acting, but she wouldn't pretend to be anyone other than herself right now. "How well did that turn out for you the last time?" she spat out the words.
James' blue eyes sparked, and he clamped her arm as if to drag her along. "Your point is moot, since you didn't use your abilities."
Where he'd found the fucking audacity to use that arrogant tone with her, she couldn't imagine. Anger blazing, Hailey found she was unwilling to fight with a man who wouldn't fight for her. "Fuck you." She wrenched herself free and walked towards the other end of the alley, away from the buzzing sounds of the market.
And even though she was in the dark, in an alley for the first time since the night her abilities had snapped, she felt no fear.
Instinctive safety at the sight of him. Go figure.
The anticipation in her gut felt as if her body was betraying her. Angry with her bodily response, she let out a small, frustrated burst of Tk into the air and walked towards the street.
Why is he here? What was he doing there in the alley? Why is he wearing civilian clothes? The questions spun through her head, added to the rest of the chaotic skein that had circled her thoughts for weeks.
Her whirling mind immediately stopped working at the sound of that beautiful voice of his. "I'll walk you home."
An incredulous laugh escaped her throat. "You must be joking or stupid if you believe I'll remain in your proximity for even another second after what happened," she snapped as she kept on walking.
Within the blink of an eye James stood in front of her and reached out. Hailey stepped back as her weak heart thudded rapidly at the sight of him in the dim light. He was even more handsome in life than in her imagination; the gold waves of his hair were a little longer than the last time she'd seen him and his jaw was shaded with stubble. It took nothing away from his almost unearthly masculinity. If anything, the rough look made him even more attractive. But his looks had never been the reason why she'd gifted him all of her.
Hailey squared her shoulders. "Don't touch me," she hissed.
James stiffened at her rejection, his mouth a tight line and a muscle pulsing in his jaw. "Hailey."
"No," she whispered as she suppressed the shiver the near tactile caress of his voice incited. "You didn't want me after I laid my heart bare for you." Tears welled up in her eyes and her torn heart tightened painfully, curling up to a small but heavy ball inside her chest. "You left me."
She saw his muscles tighten, something shifting in those deep blue eyes. "I had my reasons."
"I'm sure you did. You just forgot to share them with me." Hailey walked past him and stomped to the end of the alley. She turned right, flipped up her hood and walked up the slight slope of the pavement, her breathing uneven. She was aware that James was following her, though he was as silent as a shadow. Even if she didn't want it to, his presence calmed her, her trust in his safekeeping stronger than her fear of being alone in the dark.
After fifteen agonizing minutes of walking, Hailey reached the door to her building. James stood next to her as she punched in the code and opened it. When he stepped inside the main hall, she shot him a look over her shoulder. "What do you think you're doing?" she asked sharply, arms folded in front of her chest.
James' hands curled into white-bracketed fists again. "I'm coming with you."
Hailey narrowed her eyes, not the least bit impressed by his stubbornness. "Why do you think I'd want you to?"
"Your wishes don't matter." James' tone was matter-of-fact.
Her jaw nearly dropped open. Who the hell does he think he is?
Hailey didn't consider herself a violent person, but she was very, very close to hitting him. Maybe that would eliminate his delusions of her helplessness.
Arrogant, presumptuous man!
"Your safety is critical," James said.
Hailey raised her eyebrows as she walked into the elevator. James walked in as well and turned towards her. She punched in the number to her floor and folded her arms again, keeping her eyes straightforward. Oak moss and sandalwood drifted around her when the doors closed, the scent of him making her breath catch.
"Well doesn't that sound serious," was her acerbic response as she mentally slapped herself for involuntarily responding to him again, "but I can take care of myself just fine, thank you very much," her voice sugar sweet. She batted her eyelashes at him and gave him a smile that was all teeth. "So you can leave now," she snapped as she left the elevator when it reached her floor, and walked to the entrance of her apartment. She opened the door and stepped inside.
Turning around, Hailey dared to face James one more time. The force of his gaze combined with his presence made the hairs on her arm rise.
"Hailey, listen to me. The–"
"No." Her tone was sharp enough to cut through stone, even though she was shaking. Her legs felt like giving in as she crumpled, her anger not enough to keep her afloat in the sea of agony. "I…" A quiet sob escaped her throat. She shook her head and looked at his chest rather than his eyes. "You're breaking me," she whispered, and they were crushed, splintered words.
James jerked when one of her neighbors walked through the hallway and curiously glanced at them.
Hailey didn't hesitate and closed the door.