Jealous, O’shea?" "actually… I Am.

My Heart Hasn't Beat In Almost Ninety Years But This Was Different It Was Like My Heart Was Gone Like I Was Hallow Like I'd Left Everything Here With You.

Though There Was No Sound, There Was A Change. The Atmosphere, Which Had Gone Tense At My Accusation, Relaxed. I Wondered How I Knew This. I Had A Strange Sensation That I Was Somehow Receiving More Than My Five Senses Were Giving Me - Almost A Feeling That There Was Another Sense, On The Fringes, Not Quite Harnessed. Intuition? That Was Almost The Right Word. As If Any Creature Needed More Than Five Senses.

How Old Are You?” She Asked. My Answer Was Automatic And Ingrained. “seventeen.” “and How Long Have You Been Seventeen?” I Tried Not To Smile At The Patronizing Tone. “a While,” I Admitted. “okay,” She Said, Abruptly Enthusiastic. She Smiled Up At Me.

And Yet, I Found I Could Survive. I Was Alert, I Felt The Pain - The Aching Loss That Radiated Out From My Chest, Sending Wracking Waves Of Hurt Through My Limbs And Head - But It Was Manageable. I Could Live Through It. I Didn't Feel Like The Pain Had Weakened Over Time, Rather That I'd Grown Strong Enough To Bear It.

Like All Bullies, They’re Cowards Underneath The Swagger