I took Henry's arms and lifted him up while standing with my back to him. Bending forward, I gripped his thighs—with his arms dangling over my shoulders, I managed to carry him on my back successfully.
I walked over the black earth while the rain came down, feeling that this current scene was the perfect ending to the fire I had been in when the crystalline world exploded.
From a lonely walk amidst scorching heat into an ice-cold rain, but with a warmed back—this outcome didn't seem so bad.
I tried to ignore the nagging fear of what would happen if Henry woke up, about the talk we had to have, and about the moment I'd have to decide if I continued to play nice with him or gave in to my possessive, weak, and scared side.
Instead, I tried to concentrate on the child who was still a good distance away and tried to steer my thoughts in another direction, for example, how to get out of here.
...I know how important I am to him, but fuck, affection can change in a heartbeat.
