Page 109 of The Sins of Silas

“You failed me.” The corpse’s voice—Lena’s voice—was all strained and distorted. “You let this happen to me.”

“I’m sorry,” I cried. “I’m so sorry…”

No.

My eyes widened in panic.

I can’t cry. I can’t cry. I can’t cry.

“H-he is going to hurt me,” I trembled. “I can’t go through it again. I CAN’T!”

I began to see him. Seethem.

I can’t survive this.

I can’t go through it again.

Never again.

I covered my eyes, shrinking into myself as I backed away.

“It seems more drastic measures must be taken to break you,” the King censured.

All the walls I had built up had threatened to come crumbling down at the sight before me. At the memories I’d tried to forget.

“Help me,” I whispered, squeezing my eyes shut. “Please, help me.”

“Think about me, Quill. Think of all the good times we’ve shared.”

“Lena,” I wept.

“Remember when we went skinny dipping in Amethyst Pond?”

The smell of pine overwhelmed my senses. I carefully opened my eyes and gasped at the sight of Lena swimming in the purple water.

She grinned. “Well, don’t keep me waiting!” she giggled, splashing water at me.

My body relaxed at the sight of her, safe and happy. But I stared down at my attire.

“I-I can’t take off my shirt,” I murmured.

Her head fell to the side, eyes studying me with worry. “Why not?”

My heart began to race again, but Lena was there to pull me back.

“Remember dancing at the festival? How tipsy I was?”

The scene before me shifted, the sun setting to a calming night sky. Tea lights were strung up, and here Lena was amongst dancing bodies in the Outer Ring. She twirled in front of me, wearing the navy gown I had gifted her.

“Dance with me?” she asked shyly.

So, I did. I held my arms out, pulling her into my embrace, and slowly swayed with her.

She rested against me.

“I remember how nervous I was. I knew I wished to make love to you that night.”

I held her close. “It was the perfect first time,” I said quietly.

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