Stone Circle You only have me now.

His sisters settle against him, one on each side, and he feels the weight of his mother's burden - whatever she is carrying - sink only deeper as he watches the emotions that transpire on her face. He can tell by that the news is not good, and she doesn't leave them hanging; this is about their father.

Like Arlette, Merrit frowns, but his eyes are bathed in shadow. He can't remember a time when his father wasn't sick, but he loved him nonetheless, even if Stark had only been present in the small and quiet moments in the confine of the infirmary. No one knew just how much time Merrit spent with him; he had kept these times to himself, and didn't remark on them now, even as they stirred him to turn his eyes to the ground. Stark was gone, and while Arlette sprung forward to reassure their mother that she was enough, he felt something tear inside.

He said nothing, but watched the ground through a downcast stare. He needed more time to process this through.