Bearclaw Valley you can't know what i mean by what i say

merrick's lips curved with shock; a surprised chuckle worked its way out of his throat. "i suppose we could." it was not as if it had never occurred to merrick, but he did not yet know the heart of his nightbird. she would be lost be lost be lost — he held it like a stone within his heart and swallowed. 
"i'm not fit to be a parent." garbled. bitter. the truth burned like acid on his tongue and yet he spat it for skoll to hear all the same. the consequence of his lust would be cyclical, but this time merrick had assured that he would be alone.
a tragedy for the boy.