King Elk Forest -- we both know a break does exactly what it says on the tin

she wants to will her heart to harden as his long fingers of curiosity smooth their way under the armor she's carefully brandished.

but in a way she loves him.  not like she loved mato, but not entirely different either; he had been there for her before she had disappeared, he had been her friend.  and she can't let that go.

oh,[q/] she says, caught off guard even though she knew that the conversation would turn this way.  alarm bells rang in her head, blackout stars in her eyes like when you stand up too fast or get dizzy. [q]i — nothing, and she wants to ask why but she knows why.

i've been eating, promise.