Pieces of Us

By Kassandra Lea

Leo Shelton survived a mass shooting, but his heart was broken that night in a terrible way. Coping with the aftermath has been grueling: he holes up in his apartment, doesn't sleep well, can't work. He goes to the recommended grief counseling, but while there, never opens up. He’s drowning in his own pain.

Caleb Hart can see Leo's pain. He grows concerned about Leo, knowing he must reach this tortured man, and he has an idea that might just work.

If Leo is willing to give it a try. Can Leo claw his way out of the sea of grief he's in?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Apr 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781634863995

Kassandra Lea

Kassandra Lea’s stories have appeared in a number of anthologies. She lives in southern Wisconsin. For more information, visit facebook.com/leakassie.

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Pieces of Us

By Kassandra Lea

Published by JMS Books LLC at Smashwords

Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2017 Kassandra Lea

ISBN 9781634863995

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Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

All rights reserved.

WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America.

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For any and all who have struggled with loss.

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Pieces of Us

By Kassandra Lea

Chapter 1

Leo Shelton stood before the table, eyeing the provided snacks and beverages, feeling a desire to nibble on something more out of nerves than hunger. In the end, he selected a bottle of chilled water and two chocolate chip cookies, which he wrapped in a napkin. With a quick glance around the room to make sure no one was watching him, Leo ducked out into the hallway, escaping the hushed conversations. He located a bench and sat down, the cookies in his lap. He picked one up, breaking off a piece and shoving it in his mouth. His gaze went unfocused, the world blurring.

Why do I keep coming here? Every time I tell myself it’ll be different, but does anything really change? They talk, I listen, then I walk out still a coward too afraid to share my grief. Who wants to relive tragedy? Do they sit there and judge me, wondering why I keep showing up?

The support group had been a recommendation from his doctor, a way of telling him he needed to talk about the incident. Confront the issue; those were the words the doc chose.

I confront the so-called issue every time I muster up the courage to leave my apartment. Why doesn’t he see that? Why don’t any of them? The world is a horrifying scary place and I would much rather stay locked in the safety of my house. But is that any way to live?

Leo sighed, polishing off the first cookie. Apparently, he had more of an appetite than he thought. He began to pick at the second one, flinching when he heard the door open.

Please just be going to the bathroom or leaving. Please leave me alone.

Alas, it was not to be, someone approaching from his left. May I sit here?

Leo shrugged. It wasn’t like he owned the bench.

The person settled beside him. For a few minutes, they sat in complete silence, Leo crumbling his second cookie more than actually eating it. He balled up the remains in the napkin, clutching the tiny package in his fist. He licked