65. It Hurts So Much

The night air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying wood. The abandoned church, Hawkbone’s self-proclaimed sanctuary, stood like a forgotten relic against the silver glow of the moon. Its walls, weathered and cracked, whispered tales of those who once sought solace within them. Rose sat on the wooden fence outside, her posture still, her gaze distant. The world around her felt empty, void of meaning, just like the hollow space in her chest. Hawkbone watched her for a moment before stepping closer, his boots crunching softly against the gravel. "Watching Jayden alive again... it did something to you, didn’t it?" His voice was smooth yet edged with curiosity. "Do you regret it? Do you still have feelings for him?" Rose didn’t look up. Her fingers traced the rough texture of the fence, aimless, detached. "No," she murmured, her voice devoid of warmth. "I can never love him again." There was no hesitation, no flicker of doubt. Just a finality that felt heavier than the night