Contaminated

The 'crooked. exploiting poison' metaphor is well chosen! You can picture black, putrid ink flowing and spreading quickly over everything in every direction, ruining relationships, family and those that should be protected! Followed by a great description of his effect on this 'family member'! Your hate for this person is obvious and nauseating! You are one very courageous and talented lady, Saffie!

Freaking love this! The format and your choice of words is powerful and impacts me as the reader, though I don't know this person obviously. But I like how the "you" could possibly apply to any who have become vulnerable only to be betrayed, who know they have to move on to bigger and better things, real relationships that recognize the dignity in you.

Favorite part is the closing line as sometimes that can be the most fun (or toughest) to write since it can haunt or make one last statement for the reader to ponder.

I like the whole idea that you are speaking the truth about this man that this person was with, whether this was a friend of yours or not, and how even if this person lives their life freely and without the shadow of this man, you don't want to be a part of that. Maybe that man has molded this person into someone else, someone you can't ever respect or admire again, even if they themselves did not commit a crime or wrongdoing against you. One word that comes to mind of this man: manipulative.

Strong voice in this!