’ I closed my eyes and leaned back against the headboard. ‘Let me tie up any loose ends here and I’ll try to be there early this afternoon. I’...l make it so that I can stay for a few days without stressing about shit here. You do want me to stay a few days right?’ ‘Yeah, that would be great, thanks Sasha. I really appreciate it…see you soon.’ I could still hear him breathing so I knew he hadn’t hung up. ‘I love you, Sasha.’ There was a touch of sadness to his voice that did nothing for my fears.. “I don’t know.” I put more wood on the fire and sat down next to her on the couch. “I don’t think he’ll be back tonight anyway.” I glanced at my watch and noticed that it was after midnight. Laura was still shivering slightly as she leaned her head against my chest trying desperately to soak up any warmth that my body had to offer.“I know it may sound morbid,” Laura spoke, while staring blankly into the fire. “And while I know that you didn’t plan on anything like this happening, but I feel. Closer to the heap, at the left edge of its foot, stood a stocky older man with bronze skin and a great, brown beard cascading from beneath his mask and covering his upper chest; he was of only modest height, but his arms looked quite strong. On the direct opposite stood a very tall, somewhat lanky man with pale skin heavily covered in what appeared to be old burn scars; paired with his slightly hunched posture it almost made him seem weak, but the strangely solid tone of his muscles and. I stood there as he sent my son outto the waiting room.He looked at me very seriously and said, "Its pretty bad, Jessica. Notunexpected, living five years in captivity and being abused so bad. He isvery troubled, and hes full of so much rage. He doesn't know what to do." What can I do," I asked."Your son feels very weak, and small and is scared of the world. Theworld looks very hostile and unfriendly to him. You just give him all thelove and emotional support you can. Bring him to me and I will.