A friend in need

After the close shave and everything else that happened with it, I was too scared to actually leave the new safe house. Eventually with the help of Thomas, I got a burner and dialled Attus's number. He answered almost immediately like he was expecting the call. 

"Hey," I said tentatively, wondering how things had gotten so weird and so strained between us. 

"Clara? Is that really you C? Are you okay?" He called out immediately, and I bursted into tears. Hearing the concern and worry in his voice even when he was not my husband and had no business really caring about me that much was definitely too emotionally overwhelming for me. I could not stop the tears as I lowered myself onto the bed in the room and just kept crying with my face in my hand. 

"Oh, Clara… What have they done to you, my darling?" He sounded so nearby, bad that made me even sadder. I felt like if I reached out my hand