Her warmth is rubbing off on me and I realize what a dangerous position I’m in. She’s going to lure me in with her siren’s eyes, her soft pleading words, her love for my siblings.
No. I will not be sucked into that black hole again. It may feel like heaven for a few seconds, but I know now that it’s a trap.
So I release her, pushing her off me so that she stumbles back a few paces.
“Please see that, Uri,” she begs as her voice trembles. “I care about getting Polly back just as much as you do. I need you to believe that that’s the truth.”
I swallow the acrid taste in my mouth. Guilt serves no purpose here. It doesn’t bring Polly back even one second sooner. So if Alyssa is torturing herself, locked down here all alone… so be it.
It’s the least she deserves.
“You’re right,” I murmur. “
