at staying still-not when

nd slipping beneath his boots as he ran after her. Kelly's silhouette flickered ahead like a f

walk, her pace quick but composed. She didn't l

he said, his voice a mixture of

didn't meet hi

ft exits. No more disappearin

expression unreadable.

mething," he dem

lways held a softness, even in silence. That soft

she said.

had thre

d rea

e guess-reasons I

That silence was lo

restless and raw. "You don't get to come back into my life and say nothing.

he said softly. "I stil

closer. Too clo

her head. "D

te you for leaving but want to

re to ruin

t are you

caught. "So

is skin. He stepped back, stung,

an I stopped loving

or kiss her or walk away and never look back. Ever

in, shielding them from the world-and m

e playing," he said, "but if

rd him. "He doesn't

wed his eyes

t need

eady too

ng slightly. She forced them int

oice barely above the whisper of waves

ted to w

he didn't

't turn aro

g deeper began to fester. A fe

uite

uite

that could r