Rising Sun Valley Dear Fellow Traveller

“There’s nothing to talk about,” she snaps.

Her jaws clutch in frustration. Mixed with her disgust at herself was contempt for Louis’ resistance, then guilt again because she’d caused this. She shudders like a vulnerable little whelpling half her age.

I’m so stupid, she thinks ruefully. Stupid Stupid Stupid.

She sniffs and turns away from Louis and his amicable little tail-wagging gesture and slumps into a ball. She is not making peace with that boy. He’s seen too much of the fool she is and when the storm breaks she will ensure they’re headed in opposite directions.

If this fucking storm ever would end.

She tries to steady her breathing to move past the moment and on to events beyond this limbo, but her mind loops back.