Reed's Pov
Nicholas and I finally reached my sister's home, my mood already sour and bitter. I felt wrung out, like someone had grabbed me by the ribs and twisted me in every wrong way. Every step up the stairs made the heaviness in my chest sink deeper.
Why'd death take her?
Why her? She didn't do anything wrong. She didn't deserve this. She was the one who always tried, always held everyone together, always saw the good in people even when there wasn't much to see.
I pushed open the bedroom door and sat at the edge of the bed. My palms were still trembling faintly and my throat felt thick,
I closed my eyes, my eyebrows pulling tight as another wave of grief punched through me it was hollow and endless. The room was quiet except for my breathing, me trying to breathe and failing poorly.
Nicholas didn't say anything at first. He stepped inside and shut the door softly behind him.
I felt the mattress dip as he sat beside me.
