ive: Buri

dn't r

't leave the

ords might burn themselves into her skin. Damian stayed by the doorway, silent but pres

said finally. Every file. Ever

hidden archive in the basement. Your father kep

ircase beneath the library. The walls were stone, old but solid, and at th

along the ceiling. Metal filing cabinets lined the walls. In

thick file labeled G

it open and im

o slip

was

ere strapped to a padded table, wires affixed

s, Damian said quietly. When

her jaw. Wh

inside leaked it. That's how your father

the table. They experiment

never nothing. You were the key.

ge, grief, maybe both. She looked at him, eyes

lready gone. I tried to track you down. I tried to fight it

s face for cracks. Lies. But all she saw was the

regret, she said

romised. I'll help y

ecured with a red string. She untied it and opened the cover

s in

, tracing the familiar loops

. Your father had you document everything in case

n. Mentions of overseas accounts. A schedule of meetings be

f one page, scribbled

n there. Don't l

o, before I disappeared.

er. We checked it. Harriso

id. If my past self thought it was

gue. Then we

ter from her father. Back upstairs, the tension between them was pal

ll bleedin

e replied. For les

mian... what were we

hing real. But it wasn't just a fli

love you?

answer r

person who reminded you how to breathe. And yeah, you loved me.

op hiding. Stop trying to man

age you, he said. I'm

be part of

se. Things are going to

e passenger seat, her thoughts a tangle of images, her

ck from a light rain. Damian parked in the underground gara

ut inside, it was like a muse

faintly of lavend

she said, stepping

happiest here. You sai

ning drawers, searching for a

set floorboard, her f

n compa

ied it

ket and a small flash dri

both out

he drive. Is that

whispered. But we'