Page 92 of Us Dark Few

And she’d started to trust Takeshi too.

A fresh lick of pain rushed through her chest, and she shook her head. Just let it go.

Let it go, you idiot.

She brushed past the bookshelves, the characteristic hymn of soft notes breezing through the air. Khalani rounded the corner, and found Winnie sitting in her chair, nodding as she read a book and sang along with the music.

“Hey, Winnie,” Khalani said as she emerged from the bookshelves.

Winnie immediately swiveled around, a radiant smile completely overtaking her face. “Oh! Khalani, my sweet girl.” Winnie turned the music off and rushed over to her, the purple fabric of her dress floating across the ground.

“Winnie’s missed your company. But you’re looking a little pale. Are you sick, dear? And what are those marks on you?” Winnie’s eyes squinted as she gently touched the bruises on her neck.

“No. I’m okay, Winnie. But I have to talk to you,” Khalani insisted.

She wasn’t okay. She was far from okay. But those damages weren’t meant to be seen or shared.

Winnie frowned but didn’t protest as Khalani pulled her to sit down. Before she could talk herself out of it, Khalani proceeded to tell Winnie everything they learned about the crop failure, the Governor’s cryptic speech in Genesis, and their plan to contact Hermes.

Winnie sat silently as Khalani spoke, an odd expression on her face.Surprise wasn’t evident in her eyes but rather a wave of anguish and recognition that threatened to buckle her fragile body. She paused as Winnie’s eyes glistened, tears forming a blanket over her gaze.

“Winnie, don’t cry. We have a plan. I’m sure Hermes will send help if we can contact them.” Khalani didn’t know if she genuinely believed that, but everything was lost if they didn’t try.

“It’s finally happening.” Winnie sobbed into her hands. “I thought it would take longer, but it’s happening now.” Tears flooded down Winnie’s cheeks.

Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean, Winnie? You knew about this?”

“Winnie was told this might happen,” Winnie’s voice cracked as she stared down at the ground.

“Who? Who told you, Winnie?”

Winnie sniffled and anxiously shook her head.

Khalanineededanswers. So, she pushed.

“Winnie, whatever it is. You can tell me. You don’t have to hold whatever weight you carry yourself. I can help lighten the load, and we can figure something out together. You can trust me.”

Winnie glanced up, wet tracks gleaming down her face, and her eyes held a mystery. She bit her lip and asked hesitantly, “Do you promise Winnie can trust you, Khalani?”

The potency of the moment filled the room, and Khalani reached for Winnie’s hand.

“Ipromise. I would never break your trust. Winnie…my parents have been gone a long time now, and I know we aren’t related, but you have become my family.”

The emotional truth cascaded from her without hesitation or fear.

Winnie was the first person to open the dark holes within her heart and expose her to a world of color, beauty, and rapture.

Winnie taught Khalani how to love again. How to live within herself.

Because if she couldn’t forgive herself, then why should anyone else?

“Family,” Winnie whispered to herself.

Winnie locked eyes with Khalani, a determined look overshadowing her fear. Winnie stood and rushed to her desk. She rummaged through a cabinet and pulled out a black book. The one she never let Khalani read and always kept hidden.

“Do you remember when Winnie told you about Timothy Talbot?” Winnie asked.

Khalani frowned, vaguely remembering the name. “Only a little. You said he was your great-great-great grandfather or something like that?”

---