Chapter 40: The Rogues

Salem

I looked at a vine, a similar vine my father used to hang himself from, now understanding how he had felt and why he had done it. He felt there was no point in living anymore. All he had was gone, and he felt alone.

I, too, was alone again. I didn't have Madison anymore. Tears ran down my cheek, not wanting to live anymore. Life was too painful; my life was. I couldn't take it anymore. I didn't want to live another day going through another painful moment. I can't bear it anymore.

I reached for the vine from the tree and pulled it to me until I had had enough length.

I cried as I wrapped it around my neck. I began to climb to the top of the tree, but the heavy rain caused the trunk of the tree to be slippery. My body would slide down with each attempt I made to climb up the tree. I was not going to give up. I wanted to escape all the pain and hurt, and death was my way out.

My claw emerged from beneath the skin of my fingers, and they dug into the tree as I made my way up. I stoo