Chapter 21: unscrewing the mess (2)

I let the silence consume the room, trying to calm us both down. As the seconds tick by, she stopped sobbing and sniffing. The fear was almost entirely gone. And that's when the perfect idea hit me.

I already knew it was a stupid idea the moment I thought of it. I'd only ever used it on Brie. It was my ultimate way to unscrew my mess with her. Even still, I never used the particular one Alaric was insisting I use. It was the truth, I wouldn't be lying, but still. The only side effects of the idea were the pains that followed, the memories of her death; her lifeless stiff body, the blood from her tiny body being invaded, and everything that came with it. But, if it would get her to forgive me, then maybe, just maybe, it would be worth it.

"Growing up, I'd always known my father had countless enemies," I started softly, "even though I trained hard, I had this relief that he would always be there to protect me, or no one is smart enough to try to hurt me with him around. So for that, I