Heat

The sun had taken over the night as Ashley woke up. A groan left her lips as she slowly sat up. Her head was pounding as she gently ran her hand through her semi-damp hair. Memories of last night ran through her head as her headache got slightly worst. "Ugh! Stupid idiot," she mumbled while getting out of bed. She felt weak but she brushed it off before heading towards the bathroom. After a while, Ashley came out dressed in her morning run outfit, although she felt like crap, she wasn't going to stay in this house with Jake, her mother, and Roger after what happened last night.

Ashley carefully walked down the stairs with her hand firmly gripping the railing. She had a slight wobble in her step as her vision was a bit blur, she felt like someone was continuously beating her in the head. 

Her mother came out to call her for breakfast but immediately stopped in her tracks as she watched her zombie-like daughter weakly coming down the stairs, looking like she could fall anytime soon. Her eyes widened as the realization hit her before rushing to Ashley's side. "Oh god, Ashley, you look terrible, let me help you back upstairs and I'll bring you breakfast," she said trying to change their direction but Ashley weakly shook her head. 

"No, mom, I'm fine, I'm just going on my morning run," she said getting out of her mother's hold, "But, baby, you don't look too good, you should be in bed," she said trying to convince her stubborn daughter, but Ashley didn't change her mind and continued on her way to the front door. "I'm fine, mom, I'll see you in a bit," she said before opening the front door as she left. 

Katie stood in the spot where Ashley left her as concern filled her insides. This year had been really tough on Ashley and she didn't want to lose her daughter. She promised her later husband that she protect and take care of his daughter as best as she could.

_ _ _ _

bright sun did nothing but weaken Ashley's already weak body as she walked instead of running. It began to get more and more difficult for her to

her knees. She placed her hand on her chest as she groaned before someone shouted in her

exact walking towards her with a cold, angry look on their faces. Ashley gulped as she straightened her weak body, she pointed to herself, "Me?" She asked as one of the girls gave her a sarcastic look, "Yeah, you," she replied as Ashley licked her chapped lips while eyeing the girls, "What's the problem?" She asked as the same girl chuckled, "We got a message for your step-brother, Jake, tell him that Jay's big brother is

going to pay for what he did to Jay, now be a good messenger bird and

to time, "Stay out of people's business, Anna," Penelope said as

body in Anna's direction. Penelope gave Anna one last glare before signaling her girls to follow her. Anna rushed to Ashley's side, dropping the

off as

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