Stone Circle vittorio

What was he doing here, this ghost of her past? Why wouldn't they all just leave her alone? Laurel stared at Merrick, feeling empty, probably looking empty, too, eyes glossed over as if she was in some other place with her head, as if she wasn't really here. It had been so long since they had seen each other, and he had grown so tall now. She contemplated turning around, but it was as if her feet froze her in place. An unsafe reaction that she hated, for it meant that a repeat of what he had done, the dark furred devil, was inevitable, if she could not even defend herself, if she could not even run.

But this was just Merrick. Equally dark, equally pointed features that reminded her of the coyote blood that dwelled in her assailant, that dwelled in her son. She hated him, for confronting her with everything that was wrong in her life. For reminding her of the man who had ruined her life. For reminding her of her sister's death. The way he spoke reminded her of him, as there was a slyness to his voice, to the casualness in which he said auntie, the most wildly inappropriate word he could've used. A slyness that reminded her of him in every way, and it sent shivers down her spine.

But this wasn't him.

But this was just Merrick.

And now she must tell him about it, even though she did not wish it. But he deserved to know, anyone would agree. Your mother died, Laurel said, words that were impossibly hard to say for a myriad of reasons. Only then did she show some of the pain she felt; not just for Indra, but for everything that happened in her life. She looked at Merrick, not sure what reaction to expect.