Instant regret flooded Alex. She should've left the door shut.
Bloody hell.
"Alexandra?" A raspy voice called, disbelief lacing her words.
The sound of her mother's voice sent a wave of panic crashing through Alex, dredging up memories she had desperately tried to bury.
Alex froze. Her pulse spiked, her heart pounding so loudly it drowned everything else. Her legs suddenly felt heavy.
No. No, no, no.
Her throat tightened as dread flooded her chest. She could barely breathe.
She took a shaky step back, trying to pull away from her mother's vice-like grip. "I—I don't know what you're talking about."
"It's you. Alexandra," her mother said with more certainty, digging her nails into Alex's skin, making her wince.
"Let go," Alex hissed through clenched teeth, shoving the deranged woman away.
She spun on her heels, and bolted for the stairs, but did not make it far. Her mother lunged, grabbing her from behind and pulling them both to the ground.
