Page 47 (1/2)

There was an arrhyther to dissipate than last tier dose, or I was just weaker than before

I couldn’t recall what happened

There were flashes of de froates of hell opened, and I saw a sea of fire rush s

Nothing looked out of place, and there were no signs that he’d forced himself on me

The first thing I sahen I woke up was Claire’s sweet face

It was a nice way to wake up

It was ironic These guys worshiped angels, and I thought they were crazy But Claire had becoht in this very dark place

Claire spoke to her moo somewhere?”

Beatrice sat at the edge of the bed, and despite her physical recovery, her mental state was still in tatters Whenever Claire spoke, Beatrice ignored her or didn’t register her voice at all “Go somewhere?” A tone of incredulity was in her voice She turned her head and stared at her daughter, her eyes mean “Do you not understand—”

“I think that’s a good idea, Claire How about you get dressed, and we’ll go exploring?” I needed to study the terrain of this place anyway

“Really?” She got off the floor, wearing a white dress with her little wings “Will you o away?”

I’d forgotten about those freaks Oh, how could I ever forget? “I’ll do my best”

Claire went down the hallway into her closet, out of earshot

I turned to Beatrice, her perfect cheekbones, her full lips, all mutilated like her back Her beauty had been chipped away by her depression, her presence an empty vessel, like her soul had already passed beyond the veil and her body remained behind “I’ll take Claire for the day so you can have some time to yourself”

“Good” Her arure lossed over once one

Claire returned, in white jeans and a white sweater, ready to go outside and explore the trees, hillsides, and the land

It was the perfect excuse to take a look around unaccorant o” I took her hand “Say bye to Mommy”

“Bye, Mom” Claire waved

Beatrice ignored her

We stepped out into the cold, the sky overcast, the chill biting through flesh to bone