[It’s not right or fair to unleash all of these turbulent thoughts and feelings on her. She’s a stranger, they’ve only just met, but - that kindness he senses from her is so strong. She reminds him of Ann in that respect, and he misses Ann so much, like he misses all of his friends. They’re his north star, his anchor, and he feels every inch of the hollowness of the number zero without them.
He doesn’t want to burden her, but … she said she’s been a leader, right? And he really, really needs to talk to someone, like he’s been the open ear and open heart and open arms of support for so many others. Maybe she’ll understand. Maybe she’ll forgive him for asking so much of her.
I think I made a mistake, he says in his mind, because the words stick in his throat and refuse to go any farther. I was honest and I said too much and I’m afraid I’m going to lose him again.
The wash of feelings she’d felt before returns, stronger and more of everything. If the wave before was a trickle, the one now is the flood after the crumbling of a dam. Ren tries desperately to pull it all back. He knows it’s too much.]
Sorry, [he manages, a hoarse whisper as he shakes his head and inhales a shaky breath. Focus. He can do this. Answer the question about the Convoy.]
Lots of people, brought here by the ritual from all over. [He takes another steadying breath, listens to the cadence of their footsteps.] They’ve been changed. Everyone does.
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He doesn’t want to burden her, but … she said she’s been a leader, right? And he really, really needs to talk to someone, like he’s been the open ear and open heart and open arms of support for so many others. Maybe she’ll understand. Maybe she’ll forgive him for asking so much of her.
I think I made a mistake, he says in his mind, because the words stick in his throat and refuse to go any farther. I was honest and I said too much and I’m afraid I’m going to lose him again.
The wash of feelings she’d felt before returns, stronger and more of everything. If the wave before was a trickle, the one now is the flood after the crumbling of a dam. Ren tries desperately to pull it all back. He knows it’s too much.]
Sorry, [he manages, a hoarse whisper as he shakes his head and inhales a shaky breath. Focus. He can do this. Answer the question about the Convoy.]
Lots of people, brought here by the ritual from all over. [He takes another steadying breath, listens to the cadence of their footsteps.] They’ve been changed. Everyone does.