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Prologue

Once upon a time…

I watch as the flaes of the pink bound book, obliterating the tiny words until that very first sentence goes up in flames and smoke

One by one, I toss all et eaten by the orange fla arainst his chest before I can fling es, and the stories they hold, once saved my life

It’sburn of flesh like he did I want the ss and suffocate me like it did to him

“Let it all go” His warainstaround me

He always knohat I’, what I need to hear or feel from him—often before I do He understands the aches of my heart and the memories that lurk and claw at my soul He’s the only one who kno to chase it all away

When the last page has burned, and there’s nothing left but ash and memories, we turn away He drapes his arm across my shoulder, presses his lips to the top of my head, and leads us frohosts not wanting to be left behind

This is where it ends

Exactly where we began

1

Tyler

The stillness of daybreak has beenas I can reht, when the day is sloakening, has always felt surreal to me

And quiet So very quiet, with the exception of chirping birds and other woodland creatures But I don’t consider that noise

Sunbealistens over the h the woods, barelyfog and the faint chirping of birds—this is home I’ve walked this path hundreds of times