Paid to Disappear

~VALERIE'S POV~

The fluorescent light in the dingy motel room flickered like a dying heartbeat, casting erratic shadows across the water-stained walls.

I sat curled on the threadbare carpet, my knees drawn to my chest, watching the muted television screen where some late-night infomercial promised to change lives for three easy payments of $19.99.

If only it were that simple.

The digital clock on