In this desolate place, Esme found herself thinking about fading away. What if she just disappeared into this nothingness? The thought wasn't as frightening as it once had been. Here, at least, there were no painful memories, no reminders of the turmoil that had followed her for years. Here, in the darkness, she didn't have to remember the moments that ruined her life. The only solace she had—the only sliver of happiness she could cling to—were the memories of her life before the accident. Before everything had changed.
The memory of her mother flickered to life in her mind, a vivid image that seemed so far removed from the present. Her mother's comforting face, always rushing to her side whenever she cried or stumbled, filled her with warmth she hadn't felt in so long. Her mother had been her protector, the one who would shield her from the world's cruelties. "Don't worry, child," her mother used to say softly, pulling her close, "As long as I'm alive, I'll always protect you."
