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“Why?”

“Because I know it’s important to you”

I cleardown the swell of emotions at the honest simplicity in his words “Yeah It is But it’s just a dream A fantasy”

He presses a button on the dash, and theus to talk more easily “No I don’t think it is That picture you have is real Tangible The boy in it is real And if he exists, then that means somewhere, somehow, there’s a trail that leads to him”

Hope

How can afull of hope?

I let out a breath, picking at the fake fingernails of the prosthetic silicone hand that rests on ht But I can’t find the trail”

“What have you done?”

There’s no judgement in his voice, no hint that he doesn’t think I’ve done enough Just thoughtful curiosity

My brows draw together, and I shift into face him a little more fully The last tio That tiid in the driver’s seat, his jaw set as intense emotions I couldn’t quite decipher poured out of hi about the way he’s speaking to me that feels different than any interaction we’ve ever had before

It’s like he’s seeing me as a whole person—a real person Not just as so

“U I can think of”

I quickly go through each of the efforts I’ve made to track down my brother, all the way up to the shitty private detective, although I leave out the bit about the hand up my skirt

Marcus nods along as he listens, his gaze on the road but his focus on me When I finish, he huo on Right now you’re pulling at nothing But all you need is one good thread to pull on That’ll get you started It’ll lead to another, and another, and another” He glances sideways, catching aze “Maybe I can help”

My heart stutters in htly in surprise I don’t knohy, but I wasn’t expecting that at all