Page 23 of One Forbidden Moment

"If you say so."Copper inhaled deeply."But that girl isn't."

"She'll adjust.We all did."

Copper snorted softly."She's not a stray dog you picked up on the highway.She's a person.A scared one.A young one."

"I know what she is."Moe rotated his shoulder."I don't need you telling me what you think."

Copper stepped closer, folding his arms."You think riding her around town is going to fix what's broken in her?"

"She needed air."He shrugged."She's still getting used to the routine."

"She needed answers," Copper corrected."And you gave her none."

Moe met Copper's gaze."She doesn't need to know everything."

Copper's voice softened, but it didn't lose its edge."She needs to know something.Anything.She's drowning, Moe.And you're standing there watching her go under.Hell, you're dumping more water on her."

Moe's shoulders tensed."I'm doing what I can."

"No," Copper said quietly."You're doing what you know.And what you know isn't enough for her."

Moe finally looked at him.Copper held his gaze without flinching.

"You think I don't see it?"Copper asked."You think I don't notice how she walks around like she's already a ghost?She's fading.And if she fades too far, this place will eat her alive."

Moe's fingers tightened around the cigarette."She'll be fine.Kallie survived, didn't she?"

"It's not the same.Kallie had someone here she was coming to."Copper shook his head."You kidnapped Jillian.She doesn't want to be here."

Given time, Jillian would feel more comfortable here.She would forget what was on the other side of the veil.

Copper stepped closer, lowering his voice."What are you doing, Moe?Really."

Moe looked away.

Copper continued, "You brought her here.You keep her close.You sleep beside her every night like she's the only thing keeping you tethered.But you won't tell her why.You won't tell her what you want.You won't tell her what Everstill wants."

Moe's jaw clenched."She doesn't need to know that."

"She does," Copper said."Because she's breaking.And if you don't give her something real to hold on to, she won't survive this place."

Moe crumbled the pack in his hand."She's stronger than you think."

Copper's eyes hardened."She's twenty."

The words hit harder than Moe expected.He grunted.

Copper sighed."You can't keep her in the dark forever.She's not a tool that you can use.She's a person.And she's hurting."

Moe gritted his teeth.He knew the pain Jillian was going through better than anyone.She was still young enough to want her mom.A mom who didn't have much time left on earth.

Copper stepped back, giving him space."You care about her.More than you want to admit.But caring isn't enough if you're the one holding the cage door shut."

Moe's throat tightened."What do you think I should do?"

Copper turned to leave, pausing at the corner of the building."Storms come and go, Moe.And when the next one hits, you better know what you're willing to lose."

Moe watched him disappear out of sight, his advice echoing long after he was gone.Then, he went back inside the store with even more on his mind.He scanned the aisles until he found Jillian.