Page 6 of Siccitas

I never saw the true extent of what he did to her, but having lived for as many years of my life under his roof as I did, I can only imagine the hell she endured.

Talking to Skylar brought me some peace. She looks so much like her mother on the outside that I know inside has to be just as strong.

She’ll never succumb to hislove,nor will she force others to do so.

I’ll do my best to ensure that she lives a long, peaceful life far away from the monster that bred us all.

Using my elbows, I prop myself up, holding steady until I can push myself to a seated position.

I need to sleep.

I haven’t had much in days, and I can’t do what I need to do if my mind is as tired as my body.

Swinging my legs one by one over the side of the bed, and ignoring the stinging pain in my belly, I reach for my cane and get to my feet.

Somewhere in this ramshackle home, up or down the desolate hallway, there has to be a bathroom.

It’s only a door away from Dalton’s bedroom, further up the hall. I use the bottom of the cane to carefully push the door open, then peer in from where I’m standing.

Although he told me there was only us left in the house after the girl died, and although I want nothing more than to trust him—especially after entrusting him with the safety of Darby’s children—he’s still a Greene and I can’t forget that.

All clear,I tell myself with a slight smile.

As I step into the bathroom, I decide to leave the light off and feel my way around. The best thing I can do for now is attempt to hone all my senses, because God knows I’ll need them soon enough.

My hand moves blindly along the wall next to me, leading my way toward the sink. I rest my cane cautiously against it, my body following shortly after, then reach both hands up in front of me.

A sliver of moonlight illuminates the room, and I startle when I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the small, mirrored door in front of me.

“I could have done it by myself,’ I mutter curtly to the moon, before I use both hands to smooth back my hair.

I don’t know how many years it’s been, but being part of this family has certainly taken its fucking toll on me.

Bodyandsoul.

I lean forward slightly, gripping the cool, ceramic sink with my hands, and I purse my lips.

I have more lines on my face than Laura did when I last saw her. My eyes are as tired as Darby’s were the last time I was able to steal a glimpse of my baby girl—all grown up.

But, behind those tired lines, inside those tired eyes, there’s something that we all have.

The Greene fire burning like a quiet inferno.

How we choose to use what he’s attempted to bestow on us is what discerns the men from the monsters.

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