Night owling

ALT All images appear as typewritten words on ink-stained pages. Sometimes all it takes is one voice in the darkness to bring the truth to light. And then, maybe, it will even be heard.

ALT The usual disdainful response Quincy would have made stuck in her throat. The idea that someone—anyone—would love her when she deserved it from them the very least… She’d never had that. She had Ro, of course, but even then she couldn’t shake the fear that one day, Ro would learn who she really was, and then she’d never forgive her. Wasn’t that why she’d backed down in the junkyard? Being loved regardless of who she was and what she deserved—even she couldn’t scoff at that.

ALT Bird smiled, a full smile this time, that almost wiped away the haggard look from her face. She was suffering and smiling. Quincy didn’t know anyone who did that, inside the anchorage or out. Even Ro smiled against the darkness like it was her only armor in a never-ending war. Never like this. Like hope still burned bright within her, in spite of the consuming dark.

ALT Stay out of sight. Don’t come out. No matter what.