Just as I’m about to lean down to press my hand into the symbol, I look up into Eric’s eyes to say goodbye. But the words don’t come out. When I try to speak, everything starts to go blurry and I feel weak in the knees.
“Mariel?” He asks, “Are you okay?”
I steady myself on the nearby desk and nod weakly. “I’m fine.”
“No you’re not. What is going on?” He asks, grabbing my shoulders in his strong hands. “Please tell me. I can’t let you go down… there… not like this.”
I take in a long breath through my nose, only staying upright through sheer willpower. “I don’t know,” I sigh.
“Tell me!” He commands. “I’m just trying to help!”
When I look into his pleading eyes, I realize that I really can’t continue like this. I can’t shoulder all of this burden on my own anymore. Something is wrong
