Broken Antler Fen blackberry

Teya, she whispered back. The sound of the woman's voice reminded her all too much of the gaping holes in her life, of a time when Mama and Wraen were still living, and she choked back a sob, though tears stood in her eyes even as she eventually pulled back.

But she chuckled, sniffling a little. I guess I did, Lilitu replied, then paused. I. . .am, too.

It was hardly convincing. Had she never returned, she could have lived in the world of blissful ignorance. Could have dreamed of going home someday, to a complete family. Now that she was here again—there was no going back. No changing what had happened, nor erasing it from her mind.

How are things here? Besides, well. . .