20

Joel POV

I lay in my bed, thinking of my near perfect visit with Miranda from the kiss to the casual conversation and everything in between. It's difficult to even describe in words the feeling that I have lacked for so long. I guess the clearest way is that I feel peaceful and happy. Can it really be that simple? Of course, when something good happens it is always followed by something bad and my peaceful disposition is rudely interrupted by flashbacks of the past.

I heard his voice and I instantly felt anger fill my veins, remembering what she had told me about the abuse she had suffered at his hand. She squealed and I came around the bush only to find him facing me with his arms around her in a hug. His eyes got wide as he saw the gun and he instantly relaxed his hug on her. She slipped from his arms as I raised the pistol, pointing it to his face. I felt like a hero as I drew back my arm and hit him across the head with the weapon. He fell to the ground as I stepped in and sl