I woke up to find my cheeks streaked with tears. Cassius was still asleep beside me, his body pressed firmly against mine, his arms holding me to him. Even in his sleep he was keeping me close, as if he was worried I would disappear. I shuddered as I inhaled, the tears still flowing though not as much. I buried my face into Cassius’s chest and curled my fingers into his shirt clutching him tightly. I needed to feel him close, his warmth offering me comfort and his presence grounding me. I wanted to go back to the dream. I wanted to grab my mother and pull her out with me like I did Cassius, bring her here where we could be a family again.
I scoffed. Again. We were never a family to begin with. I was never with them, just long enough for my birth before I was carted away and hidden among
