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I’ve been rehearsing this moment in my head since the day I left toith a black eye and bruised ribs fro ood enough for Lark Still…deep down, I let etline of assholes I’m descended from

It ended up taking four years and ined possible, but I’ve finally put the ghosts of my past to bed Nohen I look in the ed on his own ood person who’s fighting to be better all the time

And this is part of being better

Apologizing to Lark Letting her kno sorry I as ended between us Letting her know that I would give anything to turn back time and spare her that pain

I hope she can find it in her heart to forgive me, but if she can’t, that’s fine, too She doesn’t owe

But I owe her, and I’m ready to pay up

Clutching rip, I start toward her

I make it all of three steps before she turns and runs

Flat out runs, like she’s running fro from quarantine

By the tih the tables and launched herself into the darkened field beyond, heading for the shadowy hills in the distance without any sign of slowing

But there’s nothing out there butin campers while they make meth in someone else’s abandoned shed

I should know I probably have a long lost cousin or two squatting on conde their best to flush their lives down the toilet If she keeps running that way, Lark is only going to find trouble, and I didn’t come here to cause her more of that

Cursing beneatho Within a few moments, I rass Spotting Lark a few yards ahead, I pour on a burst of speed

Thanks to s, I close the distance between us easily Soon I’h to hear Lark’s swiftly indrawn breath, and to catch the s to her clothes

“Lark, stop!” I beg

“Go away,” she pants, picking up her pace

“I just want to talk”