I shake my head hard as I grip the blanket until my fingers ache.
Rafe steps closer—but slow, always slow—and crouches so we’re level.
“Nobody will touch you. Nobody will make you speak. Nobody will hurt you.” His hand lifts, open and waiting. “You’ll be with me the whole time.”
I shake my head again, faster this time. Tears sting. My chest tightens until it feels like punishment. My body folds inward on instinct.
He reaches for the pencil and sets the paper between us.
I write with shaking hands.NO EYES. HIDE.
The words break. My breathing breaks with them.
He studies what I wrote, then looks up at me with eyes that see far too much. “You don’t have to hide anymore. You’re not trapped. And you’re not doing this alone.” He touches his chest. “I’ll be right beside you.”
My eyes burn. I lift my hands to him—instinctive apology, fear, plea all tangled together.
“Hey,” he brushes my hair back with the lightest touch. “Sweet girl… I’m not asking you to be brave for me. I’m showing you you’re not alone.”
Alone. The word scrapes something deep inside me.
I dip my forehead to his shoulder. It’s easier to be myself here. Easier to believe things can change.
He rests his hand on my back. “We go for a bit. If anything scares you, we leave. No questions. I just want you to try. Mama Rue will be there.”
My fingers curl into his shirt. I nod once—small, scared, but real.
His hand slides down to hold mine, palm warm, steady. “Good girl,” he says quietly. “I’m proud of you.”
The words sink deep, deeper than I expect. I rise with him, my legs unsteady. He offers his arm. I take it, gripping tight, so we can face the new day together.*****
Later, we get ready and leave for the clan dinner. Outside, the air is cool against my skin. The world feels too big. Too bright. Too loud in ways my body remembers as danger.
I hold Rafe’s wrist with both hands, my heartbeat thundering beneath my ribs.
He covers my fingers with his own. “I’m right here. Every step.”
After a few minutes, the clearing opens around us before I’m ready. Voices. Footsteps. Firelight flickering against faces I don’t know.
My chest tightens at the sight of so many bodies moving at once. Every instinct screams at me to drop low, curl small, disappear. But Rafe’s arm is warm under my hands, steady enough that I stay on my feet.
Everyone turns to look. That alone almost drops me to my knees.
Rafe leans down, murmuring against my temple. “You’re alright. Nobody here means you harm.”
But my body doesn’t know what harmless looks like. Moving half a step behind him anyway, I slide my cheek between his shoulder blades.
Mercy sees me first. She peels away from the others and comes slow, careful not to box me in.
“Hey,” she says.
That’s all. Something in my chest eases anyway. I lean harder into Rafe.
Mercy glances at him, then back at me. “You did good coming. I’m glad you’re here.”
Mama Rue steps up, her cane digging into the dirt. She looks me over from head to foot, not unkind, not soft either. This woman sees everything.
“Mm… scared, but standing.” Her eyes meet mine. “That’s enough for today.”
