Bearclaw Valley one voice tells me that they laugh

terrible deeds.

Cole had done more than a few of those in his life. If not, his entire existence fell upon a heap of lies. If it meant keeping Annie safe, then he would be a martyr.

He felt a powerful presence come back to life inside of him. A purpose. A reason to walk, to hunt, to run, to leave fires in his wake for the purpose of keeping a daughter safe.

She was his now, blood or not.

Y'er alrigh', lil' girl. You'll be jus' fine. He promised. It was laced with gold, the highest form of truth a liar like him could muster. He was all rippling muscle, but she found the one soft part about him. His heart.

With even breaths, his body absorbed her tears. No longer would she feel the guilt upon her shoulders. Cole could take it. Just fine...