Bab 39: Chapter 39

She nods, numb. Then she sighs, a heart-wrenching sound that seems to stem from the depths of her soul, but she lies down beside the girl, gathers her into a strong embrace, rests her head against the girl’s back and squeezes her eyes shut. “Go,” she whispers. When I start to say something else, she shakes her head. “I don’t want to hear it, Dae. If he means that much to you, just…just go.”

I don’t wait for her to change her mind.

* * * *

The stairs are dark and slick. I tell myself it’s not blood I’m stepping in but I can’t ignore the coppery stench that hangs in the air, clouding my head and filling my veins with fear. I take the steps carefully. I don’t want to fall and land in the gore. I don’t want to feel it seep through my clothes and into my skin.