Chapter 79 – Stay

“Jared . . .”

The man shook his head again. He didn’t want to hear what she has to say. One glance at her and he could tell she was feeling bad for him. Still . . .

“I don’t want your pity.”

It was her turn to shake her head. She doesn’t pity him, does she? That’s different from what she’s feeling. She’s just . . . feeling sympathetic or emphatic. It doesn’t matter what it really was.

“Where did you go?”

In a way, her non-accusatory tone eased the turmoil inside him. He glanced at her before responding, “Here and there. I just wandered around.”

“Since when?” Polly was relieved that he responded. She hoped he would tell her more.

“Months ago.”

“How long has it been?” She remained patient and probed for answers.

“I wandered around for half a year. Then, I came here.”

Polly audibly inhaled. It’s been that long?

She hesitated for a moment before asking, “You . . . you didn’t kill someone, did you?”

Jared shrugged. Technically, he did.

“Who did you kill?” She became slightly afraid of him.