51

I had been so confident that I’d be able to escape and live on my own with the humans, but now that I was forced to be away from Mom, that no longer seemed true. How could I have ever thought that I’d survive?

Violet’s constant presence while I cried was nice, but it didn’t quiet my sadness. In fact, I felt even more out of place sitting in the middle of Violet’s floor, sobbing my eyes dry than I had ever felt with the Kings.

After another hour, Violet lit a candle and led me to my bedroom. The candle was more for my benefit than Violet’s, as she could see easily in the dark. It was more thoughtfulness than I was used to from anyone other than my mom.

Inside the room, I flopped onto the bed and pulled the pillow close.

“I’ll be right down the hall if you need anything,” Violet said gently. “And I mean anything, even if it’s just to talk, okay?”

I didn’t respond.

Violet gave me a smile. “Get some sleep, girlie. Tomorrow, you’ll be able to spend the sunrise in the garden. Maybe the worl