Meet Cindy (formerly David). Two years post-basement. Working as a hairdresser, studying to be a beautician. Surviving on boxed wine and gallows humor. And absolutely not okay.
When Isaiah - fresh out of Bella's hell and drowning in his own dysphoria - asks Cindy to teach him how to "be a woman," she wants to refuse. Teaching him feels like collaborating with Bella. Like endorsing the nightmare.
But she remembers those first terrifying weeks of freedom. The agoraphobia. The panic attacks. The way mirrors became enemies.
So she says yes.
Fair warning: this one's got all the dark themes of Homecoming. Part 2 drops next week. I promise I'll give you something lighter after this. 😉
Thank you as always! I hope you like this side story and can't wait to read your comments. They make me so happy. 💕
P.S. - Yes, Cindy has become one of my favorite characters to write. No, I don't know what that says about me. Yes, we're all going to need wine after this one.