LOVE IN DUNGEON

Dungeon felt like wakin

coffee Nancy had lent her. The air was thick with salt and silence. No honking car

t wove itself into her hair, her skin, even the quiet ache in her chest. Everyth

even checked her email. And no one cared. No one asked what she did or

e drifted over

rking boats and hauling nets. He moved with an easy rhythm, his hands sure and silent. Around him, a few older men joke

idn't loo

ved held her gaze. He wasn't p

just.

n real in a lo

noticed her the second sh

ytail, she looked like someone from a different universe. But

about her that tugged at

ere. But she did

nudged him as they loa

away. "She's just an

metimes lost people find so

ed, but his e

nds buried in the front pocket of her hoodie. The salty wind tugged at he

aning their catch, trading jokes,

ded. A rhythm far removed from the glo

ce called gently f

d hair and a floral scarf smiled a

ew in

nodded. "Sort of. Ju

es twinkled. "It's the kind of place you stumb

ened. "What makes

ed. "Because I

, still parked at an awkward angle by the roadside. The hood was

front tire, frustration carved

e asked, keeping

ller up close, his eyes more intense than she'd expecte

"Or the car's just mad at me for lea

We don't get many Teslas in the Du

rom her jeans. "That would

He offere

gers brushing his-ca

" she

, but something passed between

gnit

who had b

him work. He didn't talk much, didn't expla

around here

Cliff house with my brother.

e," she murmured,

. "Is that wha

didn't plan on staying. My car just... stop

ry. Didn't

her like

he said simply, before starting t

shaky breath

ill. "You're welcome. Just... remem

a didn't go ba

r ankles, the sand cool between her toes. Each step f

f the Dungeon, her heart too

use she

n a long time-someone saw her an

ke diamonds scattered on velvet. Mia sat cross-legged on the sand, hoodie w

ght abou

hadn'

n't tried

eyes and hands that kn

lt like-to be helped without being ask

iles traded for acceptance. Dreams mortgaged

le town at the edge of nowhere

atter who s

she was

her in a language

asn't a grand,

s small, qu

ng in s

ffee from a

said with no exp

es and tilted her

in a long time, she d