Stone Circle I’ll be on the street somewhere

She came quickly, a smile on her pretty face. Atreus drew in a deep breath to steady himself, rising onto all fours. Her tail wagged and he mindlessly mirrored the motion before catching himself. His tail stilled and drooped. His brow furrowed as he looked down and away.

Hi, Ink, he said quietly. I came here to tell you…

He paused to collect his thoughts. Specifically, Atreus reflected on what Amalia had said to him. He needed to be honest with Inkeri, though it was so hard to find the right words. In the end, he just started talking so he wouldn’t keep stupidly standing there, wasting her time.

I wanted to tell you that I can’t—I can’t be there for you the way you need. The way I wish I could be. I just don’t know how. He paused, inhaled, exhaled. And I’m not staying in Mereo anymore. I don’t know where I’m going yet but I didn’t want to just disappear without saying I’m sorry… and goodbye.