I have never fought so hard for anything as I fought, in that moment, to do absolutely nothing.

Because I knew — the cold clear part of me knew — that if I moved, I lost.

He was bigger than me and I could barely feel my own hands.

If I gave myself away, he would simply finish what he had started, and there would be no one left to hide any evidence or reach any phone or get my son out the door.

My stillness was the only weapon I had.