Book II - 36

AUDREY

Gabriel settled on the lounge stool across from me.

“I can’t really tell if we were close or if we’ve ever been, but he was compassionate, unflawed… but I hurt him. What I did was unforgivable.”

I looked up into Gabriel’s gaze, and his expression turned dark. “What happened to this boy?” His voice was hoarse.

“He died, and it’s my fault, Gabriel. I caused someone’s undeserved misery and death when he was so pure and so kind. It haunts me every single day…” I buried my face in my palms and began to sob as my chest started to feel heavy.

“What did you do to this boy?” he went on.

I stared back at his face, my lips trembling. “I didn’t trust him. I stole his freedom and sent him to the abyss. For this man that I knew was innocent had spent his last breath in agony. It is something I couldn’t redeem myself with.”

Gabriel straightened his shoulder, and his eyes dimmed. He scratched his temple. “What exactly did you do? Did you cause this boy’s death? How? Who was he to you?”

I clen