e lace curtains. Shadows crawled along the walls like memories trying to break free. She lay there, eyes w

ooked lik

s - her mother's laughter from the kitchen, her father's deep tone echoing down the

d, had no inten

feet as she padded to the kitchen. She made tea - not because she needed it, but because it gav

cheeks. A face sh

ned, protesting the weight of memory more than her own. Across the yard, Mr. and Mrs

on. But some piece

ard the footsteps. Turning, she saw her childh

" Emil

hadow, once her secret-ke

g her sweater tighter around herself.

int smile. "Some t

ore Jessie broke it. "You disappeare

r throat tight. "There were too

dened. "You cou

ed like a ston

And I'm sorry. I buried so m

at slid down her cheek. "I came the day

still r

but firm. "You can't keep running, Em. Not anymor

hem. Caleb stood there, his arms

ng," h

ered. Too many peop

e by later. Maybe we

alk away, her footsteps light but her p

ard, eyes searchin

breath, placing t

I think I'm ready to

a word. He just

Emily let the silence stay - no

e had buried

.. it was tim