of Vie

s not com

ight. My body rests, but my mind refuses to settle. Each time I close my eyes, the same emotion re

carts passing past, gentle voices keeping the night tranquil. This locati

. My heart is beating steadily now, but it feels

tly when day

, gentle sunlight. For a second, I almost forgot where I was. T

nocks on

" I

en it opens. More old. Calm.

ning, Lana." "How a

ore I answer. "Clear

hat's true. The doctor will come b

term sounds promisin

n't seem as scary. There was only a bed, a chair, a little t

gain, but this t

n goe

me sitting up. "Is thi

d then I say, "

today because he has a clean shirt and roll

"Tea." They said that was okay. I get it from him. Our finger

an

ely, as if he is listening

eird nigh

o, he

tare at him. "Y

his head.

use

e says

h honesty, so I drink the tea. I

something stronger," I say. Anger.

don't,

things, I say. They p

at's how it was for me

"You we

u, he says.

can tell that he is

are you afrai

up. "That you might not choose

e between us, w

a fear," I add. Tha

sses his lips. "It

ress, and being patient. I answer inquiries. Adrian doesn't

rent when we're alon

move you to a private room." L

. Will you s

re are hallways that go by. Doors open and shut. The new space doesn't feel like a

wn next to the bed. I w

He says, "Your things. Clo

ected "M

break. I flip it over with my hands. It l

t to look

or a while. "That depends

ithout turning

ems h

dow while Adrian stands close. The world goes on outsid

you someth

es

before the acc

for a short whil

wa

love doesn't make things less tense. W

nds of

says. "Fear.

h something deep inside

I answered softly. I

, he says i

gets softer. Shadows get lon

t have t

ays. But you

he door, not s

an,"

tur

still stay if I

e eye. "Yes." Eve

in my ches

in after he departs. I

with my face is smiling at the camera and tilti

ard

't br

r stops me from sc

e and look up,

oser than I im