Chapter 16

I got out of the car and decided not to go into the house. I went straight to the garden, the only place I could calm myself down.

I grabbed a pack of cigarettes, took one out of it and lit it. I took a long drag as I walked among the plants, and the scene I saw when I reached my destination was almost like a rush, if it wasn't for the presence of my dog.

Just as a few days ago, Helena was sitting on the bench.

This time, she was hugging her legs that were curled up close to her body and her head rested on her knees. She didn't look well.

I approached, drawing the attention of Benedict, who raised his head to look at me.

The girl followed the gaze of the dog beside her and stopped at me, her vacant expression staring at me for a few seconds as I approached, then quickly looked forward again. Bento got down from the bench and lay there on the floor, leaving the place next to Helena empty. I sat there and she didn't even move.

Silence.

I took another drag on my cigarette, releasing