“I place my hand on his left one and brush it slightly. His eyes are now honed in on me, and the shaking of the hand beneath mine seems to stop.”

“When my laughing subsides, I study her. She’s smiling, and I can’t remember the last time someone teased me.”

“Because, when you look at me, I remember I’m still alive.”

“You’re the only thing that keeps my darkness away, lisichka.” I kiss her shoulder. “If, one day, you decide you’ve had enough of my shit, just leave and never look back. And make sure you hide very well.”