Page 56 of Of Flames and Fallacies

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

Secrets never die, they’re just buried in a grave.

I shut the journal with an audible force and hastily toss it away from me. My mother’s words ring in my ears, frightening me. Aside from her rambling about the sun, it was another line she constantly repeated. The vision bursts in my mind, the words carved repeatedly into the wall of what had once been our living room.

I focus on my breathing, counting to ten to level myself. I don’t know what it means, and maybe it means nothing, but I have to show Cole. It could have been another manic episode…but then I remember her instructions.

To find Cole, take Daeja to the Dragon Lands, and not come back.

At the time, I thought she meant to not come back to Padmoor. But as I recall the execution last night, my nightmares of Darian, and the flames, I start to wonder…what if she had a different meaning?

What if she meant we weren’t safe here in Arterias?

Could I even trust what she said?

I look back at the journal. Could I trust whathesaid?

I change into day clothes, braid my hair, and throw the journal into my satchel before I head out of my room.

The sun warms my skin as I step outside, and I blink into the morning light.

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