THIRTY THREE

Alisha’s POV

“Are you alright?”

The room was quiet and the lamp was the only source of light in the room.

I sat with Melissa in bed and watched as she breathed, finally awake and calm.

“I suppose I’m really not… I’m sorry you had to see that, my dear. I’m usually not that emotional.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being emotional… and, well… you seemed to be in pain…”

“I just… Memories can still haunt you. You may be able to push them away when you’re awake but when asleep they come back with a vengeance.”

“I understand what you mean,” I said and she looked at me with surprise written on her face.

Had I somehow said something wrong again?

“You’re too young,” she whispered, although her eyes spoke of hurt. “You shouldn’t know what I mean.”

I looked away briefly. She was right. I was too young but had already lived a life of hurt.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked her, my voice low and assuring - the sort of assurance one only gave when they had lived in a similar situation before.

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