The Heartbreak Prescription

Chapter 47

He reminded her that the area was dangerous and urged her to leave quickly. The people chasing him were closing in, and she wouldn't make it out alive if she stayed.

But the girl didn't leave. Instead of running, she struggled to drag him with her, pulling him into a hidden cave.

"Big Brother, this place is safe. They won't find us here," she said.

He looked at the girl-so young, only a child. It was already into the winter months, but she was wearing just a thin, faded dress

that had been washed so many times it was nearly white. It seemed like she had been in this forest alone for a long time, her only

companion the tattered doll she clutched in her arms.

He was badly injured, his body icy-cold.

The girl reached out and hugged him. "Are you cold? If I hold you like this, you won't feel cold anymore."

He looked into her eyes, so clear and bright.

"Why are you here alone? Where's your home? Where are your parents?" he asked.

The girl was silent for a moment. “I have no home, no parents. No one wants me in this world."

He pulled her into his arms. "If I survive, I'll take you out of here. I want you around."

around

holding each other for warmth. Their shared body heat kept them

next morning, the girl was

and he had no choice but to leave by

Stanley mumbled in his sleep, suddenly jolting

had been a dream. He

he had found her long ago-that girl had been

in his circle knew that he and Jessica were a perfect

his side all these years, raising

be spoiled and radiant.

was

next to him, he still often

so determined as she dragged

of her warmth,

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dreamed of her sudden disappearance, waking

tried to move, but then he suddenly realized there was a soft, fragrant body in his

resting against his chest. The memories from the night before came flooding back.

and he had wrapped his

night like that, wrapped