Page 103 of Shadows Of Dusk

For a life that has never chosen me?

One filled with pain and loss?

For a past that aimed to destroy me in every way?

For a future that I don’t belong in?

The tears continue to flow freely, absorbed into Val’s fur.

When magic returns, I will become no one again.

I will be Lara Ray. The scientist who clawed her way out of her past and evolved only to be irrelevant to the future of a species that sought to break her at every step.

In a way, they succeeded.

I am broken.

I am shattered into a million pieces, only being held together by glue that has finally come undone.

I will lose people I’ve grown to care about deeply, and nothing will be able to stop that.

Val pulls back, his eyes filled with sad understanding, and he hesitates for a moment, before rubbing his cheek against mine.

If I’m going to make it through this I must stop relying on them.

A little voice in my head quietly reminds me, there’s a good chance I will not make it through this anyways.

Maybe that’s for the best.

I know the moment they’re gone, I will shatter completely.

Hell, I’m already crumbling while they’re still by my side.

No. If I’m to make it out of this, I will find a way to do so as the woman who made it through hell and back.

Gathering my strength and determination, my resolve sets in, letting out a shaky breath as I release Val and wipe my cheeks before rising to my feet.

“I’m sorry you had to see that, Val. I’ll be alright. I have been up until now, and I will continue to be long after you’re both back home.” My voice quivers once more, and I wince, quickly clearing my throat to regain composure.

I glance down at my palms, noticing the blood still trailing from them at a slow pace.

We return to the tent and where Darian’s seated on the log with his head slightly tilted. His dark black hair hangs loose, accentuating his eyes that stand out even more against the shadows of the forest.

His gaze tracks my approach and his eyes shift briefly to my hands before returning to my face, which I’m certain still shows signs of puffiness and tears.

His brows pinch together as he watches me take a seat on the log, my hand weakly reaching out for the bottle, but Darian is -even now- a step ahead. He grasps the water and effortlessly twists off the cap, pouring a small amount of liquid over my palms.

I clench my jaw as a sting spreads through my hands.

I move to take the bottle, but he pulls it away, keeping it out of my reach.

“I can do it.” I grit out.

I see his hair shift in the limited light of the forest as he nods, “I know full well you can.”

“Then let me.” I retort.

“No.”