{"product_id":"the-blue-neighborhood-v-d-matthews-9781981409358","title":"The Blue Neighborhood","description":"I AWOKE in darkness. I sit up, confused as to where I was at. I try to stand, but when I make the sudden attempt to do so, my body is pushed back down to the gravely surface. I'm so tired and weak. How am I going to have the strength to get back up? As I lie on the ground staring up at the black sky covered in gray clouds, I sigh. My body feels heavy. When I bite my lip, I can taste the metallic flavor of blood lingering on the lower part of my mouth. I have no recollection as to how I got here, or how I even made it out alive. It was all a big blur. One minute I was pinned to the wall, the next I was out on the streets. This was all my fault. I groan, mentally telling myself that I had to stand up. If I didn't, I'd have an even bigger risk at dying than living. Once I gain the ability to get up off the ground, I run a hand through my light-brown hair and sigh. When the breath leaves my lips, the weight drops and lingers; almost as if it's saying that the burdens of heartache won't ever leave. I then begin to walk forward. My right foot stings at the sudden pressure. I conclude that not only am I beaten and bruised, but that also my foot is sprained. I walk out of the alleyway with the streetlight being the light source for my blurred vision. I was so tired. Who was I to turn to when I've done nothing but hurt others? No one. I was alone. I continue my agonizing walk up the street. Just up ahead, I see a corner store. Once I get a better view of the building's logo, I jog up to the payphone; not caring if I hissed at the light stings coming from my foot. Placing the earpiece onto my shoulder, I dialed the only number I knew by memory. As I waited for it to dial, my wrists began to tighten from nervousness. I didn't know what to expect. \"Hello?\" It was Dylan. I let out an inaudible sigh of relief; thankful that he had picked up the phone. I hear light shuffling in the background; indicating that I had woken him up from his slumber. \"Hi,\" I replied shakily. \"I'm sorry for waking you at this hour, I'm scared and I--\" \"Valerie?\" he asks, cutting me off. \"Where are you at?\" \"That's the thing,\" I say, exhaling a breath. \"I don't know where I am, and I don't know what to do. I'm just. . .\" \"Don't do anything,\" Dylan says, now fully awake. \"just stay where you're at. I'm coming to get you.\" \"But, Dylan, you don't even know where I --\" \"Just trust me on this.\" With that, the line went dead.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e V. D. Matthews\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1981409351\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781981409358\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Createspace Independent Publishing Platform\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/11\/2018\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 140\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.43lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.30d","brand":"V. D. Matthews","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48486620168447,"sku":"9781981409358","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_2d768060-2354-4ae8-850d-3af99c991835.jpg?v=1778056097","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-blue-neighborhood-v-d-matthews-9781981409358","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}