, Not curious stares, but disgusted ones. A wrinkle of the nose here,

ent from anyone else, that all I needed was time. But as I

reak. A Half-shifter

knife against the vain popping out of my wrist, a silent scream escaped my lips as I summoned the courage to sliced it open. The searing pain mixed with a strange sense of

towards the dusty doorway of my mother's room.

finally find peace, even if it will be a cold and lonely one. Beca

sat covered in dust, untouched since my mom's death. A half-finished knitting project lay forgotten on

the worn out sheets, I broke out in tears. "Mom," I whispered. "Why

But as I did, a glint of light caught my eye. A small crack snaked across the wall by t

ked away in the crevice. I opened it and a gasp escaped my lips. Inside the box, on a

. The familiar scrawl of my mother's handwriting sent a fresh wave of tears trailing d

hen it means I am gone. I am so sorry, my sweet girl, tha

t let anyone tell you differently. You are my miracle, my moonbeam in the da

r: "I love you always, with all my hear

"Mom," I called out, tears streaming down my face. My m

echoing in my head: please stop the bleeding, please. But as the fabric turned red within seconds, a new wave of terror crashed over me. "This wo

nd my breath caught in my throat as my eyes met his. Father. The wo

my voice barely a whisper. My hear

at it for what felt like an eternity before finally looking up to face me. "Three rejection," h

t at explaining myself. I stared down at the blood

He asked and I flinched. His voice was a wh

I mumbled, the words tas

tretched on for what felt like hours, squeezing

your arm and find some proper bandage

naged to say, my vo

st of breath that spoke volumes. "Tsk," he mutt

he turned and walked away. Three re

get the stupid bandage, I thought dully, shuffling toward

ay only friend sitting on the edge of my bed. Her brow furrow

h worry. Relief, warm and unexpected, washed over me

th trembling hands, I gestured towards the makeshi

her gaze locking with mine. It was a very clean cut. Even a fool would be able to tell what had happened. A flicker of something that seemed l

tted, my voice

that?" she added not even sparing

eth. "Yeah..."