Indentures (H 1.3)

I thought I didn’t have space for another emotion, but somehow Salem squeezes one more between the fear and grief crowding my soul. I’m quiet for a stretch, letting the stirred sands settle, then I scoot closer to her - an invitation - and reach over to touch her shoulder. I could tell her that there’s a better place, if a person can find it, if I don’t yank them back from the brink of heaven, but even after talking to Kiwi, I’m not entirely sure I believe it. I’ve spent too long believing there’s nothing out there for us after this for one nightmare to convince me otherwise.

Instead, I whisper only what I know is true. "Mine too."

Salem slips back into sleep's embrace as easily as a stone slipping beneath the surface of the water. I remain bandied by the waves on the surface, tempted to reach out to Kiwi again. But if he's started making his way back to wherever he had been going, I don't want to risk ruining his travels again.

The shadows of the windowpane creep across the ceiling and Salem's body warms mine as I listen to her slow breathing. I find myself idly playing with one of her curls while her limp fist grips a few strands of my hair. Just before I finally succumb to sleep, I wonder if Lucky put me in here just to endear me to his family, and how he might use it against me later.

End Scene