Page 140 of Patching Over

If I don’t say anything, I won’t be noticed. If I stay silent, I can’t be punished.

I just wish Kracken would stop trying to break through, though. His unwavering kindness, even when I so obviously go out of my way to ignore him, is wearing me down.

So, I have to leave. I can’t stay. Because unlike Belle, I don’t deserve the good things in life. Otherwise, why would I have been treated so horrifically all those months ago?

Kracken

Discouragement runs through my veins these days. A few times, I thought I’d gotten in where Moira was concerned, only to be rebuffed once again. Sighing, I head up to her room to bring her down for some cocoa now that everyone’s settled in for the night. Only, when I reach her door and go to knock, it opens to an empty room.

She’s gone. Without a word, without a trace, she left me, left us, like a thief in the night.

“Moira!” I bellow.

I’ll find you, sweetheart. I’ll break through, but until then… I’ve been released.

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