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Thanks to our size difference, it’s easy tothe keys out ofher into ate, not sure what she’ll think of my roommates But I shouldn’t have been worried Not with Fawn Of course when she sees the ducks waddling toward us, she gasps in delight

“What a lovely welco down out of e of protectiveness, I turn and lock the gate quickly to keep out intruders who ht hurt Fawn or try to steal her froently tickling the underside of my mallard’s beak “Does he have a name?”

I’m ridiculously pleased that she knows the difference between the male and female ducks “That’s Chester” I ton”

Her surprised laughter ives her pause

She stares up at me from below “You should smile more”

“I can’t remember the last ti around in irl in my home? How can she stand to look at s Just want to enjoy the moment But it’s damn hard e are the epitome of beauty and the beast “I should tell you…” I’m already in love with you “There are a lot more animals here In fact, I’m surprised Dave hasn’t joined us yet—” I’m cut off abruptly when my howler monkey jumps down from the tree overhead and lands on my shoulder “Speak of the devil”

Dave cli at Fawn, as if asking for an introduction Before I can make one, she comes forith a se on his leg “Is he healing fro?”

“Croc alet free of the predator pops into my mind and I s the lump in my throat “Got there just in time”

“You saved hi es out of control “You saved ood man”

As much as I want to let her believe that about s doesn’t erase all the bad I’ve done, Fawn All the bad I do”

“No Leave it in the past tense”

A gru she asks of me I want to lay the world down at her feet, but I don’t kno “I’, Fawn The course oflike I do My owniven for me to hurt people”

Fawn looks around At the fish in the pond—I brought theaze dances over the li Irish setter I found on the side of the road Thankfully he’s gained soain “For every person you’ve hurt, I bet you’ve saved an aniood than bad” She lets out another one of those sweet giggles as Dave clih her hair A fully “Our souls are joining into one,” she whispers “Aren’t they?”

“Yes,” I respond without hesitation, shaken to the core by the way she reaches inside of ans, maybe even my belief in myself

“Don’t you want yours to be clean before it joins with mine?”

“Yes,” I say again, edly than before I’m ready to drop down on el whatever she asks e that she’s chosen me to see to her needs Food, shelter, pleasure I’ll spend every wakingsure she has those necessities

“Then tellfor this badme to make a hoarse sound “Promise me”

There’s only one choice She’s right I can’t bring my blackened soul anywhere near her pure one The only way to salvation—also known as Fawn’s happiness—is to be a better ift like her “I proel I’m done”

Her s out from behind a storm cloud It’s a miracle