VICTORIA ANN MALONEY - SHATTERED GLASS UNDERNEATH

Victoria Ann is a novelist who writes poetry, thriller and fantasy stories. She is gaining her Associates degree in Creative writing at Full Sail University. She is enrolled in her Bachelor’s degree in Creative writing for January 4th and is planning to further her craft. She is a part of the creative writing and black student union club. She has been offered the opportunity to be published with Scarlet Leaf Review. Victoria has been writing poetry since she was 15-year-old and has posted most of her work on online websites to share with others. She writes based on her emotional battles for her poetry but uses modern witchcraft for her fantasy and thriller series.

​Shattered Glass Underneath

Stanley looks out the slider door from the kitchen gazing into Milana's glistening, puffy brown eyes. He can't help but notice how beautiful she is despite the big crocodile tears dripping from her round, melanin face. Milana tucks some hair behind her ear and twirls some ringlets around her finger on the way down her strands, trying to draw attention away from her Brittany spears mental break down moment. Stanley grabs two glasses of water for this life-changing conversation. He shuffles onto the back patio as he questions if he's even capable of fixing this.
"I hope you know this wasn't planned Stanley," says Milana moving her finger around the rim of her glass. "I didn't want this to happen. Not now and not ever. I know this is bad timing, but we can't change it now. So, what do we do?" Milana moves her hand to her stomach as she feels her life change from one bad decision. Stanley puts his hand on Milana's knee trying to comfort her.
"Maybe this will be good for us. We have been trying to decide if we want to make us work and this will force us to finally step up," says Stanley looking at her baby bump. "This won't make for a great situation for your husband and family, but we deserve a chance." Stanley moves his hand off of Milana's knee and grips onto her hands.
"I don't think you understand how much this will affect me," says Milana pulling her hands away as she stands up. "I never wanted to hurt my family and I never thought things would get this far with you." Milana throws her arms in the air and looks away from Stanley. "You knew this was just a fling so why did you expect me to react any different?"
Stanley scoots his chair back and stands up walking towards Milana pushing his way through the planets that Milana left there for him months back. "You don't get to treat me like this. If you think you are going to do this without me you have another thing coming," Stanley says grabbing onto Milana's arm and pulling her towards him. "I told you that you wouldn't be able to get away from me, so don't expect less."
Milana looks at Stanley and pulls her arm away. She pushes Stanley to her left, forcing her way around him. Stanley grips onto Milana's throat forcing her into the slider door. Stanley lets out a sinister laugh that sends chills down her spine.  Little shards of glass fall from behind her back and under her feet as she tries to shift her body away from his grip. Milana pulls and tugs at Stanley's hand, trying to move it away from her throat as the air is being pulled from her lungs. “My body can’t take anymore! Please stop! I’m too weak!” Milana says as she struggles to break free.
"You are crazy. You would harm the person who is pregnant with your baby," says Milana crying. "You can tell whomever you please, but you will never get your hands on me or this child." Milana walks through the shattered glass, allowing little pieces to puncture the sole of her foot. She leaves a trail of blood behind her as she paces the living room floor. Stanley rushes up behind her and grabs her arm.
“Don’t touch me Stanley! I won’t tell you again,” Milana says pushing Stanley back onto the floor.
"You know what, fine, I didn't want you anyways," says Stanley laying on the floor holding on to his leg as he bleeds. "You are not worth all this bullshit; I hope you rot in hell."
"I never needed a man to complete me, Stanley. Not you, and not my husband," says Milana opening the front door and looking back at Stanley. "I was never scared to do this on my own. I am a strong independent woman who will protect this child no matter what. I refuse to let you abuse me anymore."
Milana points out the open door.
Stanley pulls his body off the ground and stumbles out the door bolting for the exit. Milana slams her door locking it before running to the bathroom. She slides her shirt up and off her noticing the wet substance dripping from her fingers. She gets into the shower and allows the water to flow down her back and under her feet. The water hugs and caresses her body, following her curvy figure with ease. She slides down in the shower and sits on the tile floor.
The hot steam fills the room like clouds on a rainy, dark day. She knew that feeling too well and had a personal relationship with drowning in her sorrow and regret. The baby kicks within her stomach, following the beat of her heart, pumping a spark of hope into her lungs. "I refuse to be defeated or allow him to have control over my emotions. I will make it through this," says Milana. She puts her head between her knees and her hand on her stomach. "I will show this baby the life she deserves regardless of the situation and circumstances."
The End