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Suddenly, Gripp was caught in a memory. Waking with April, over and over again. The feel of her in his arms, her sweet scent covered by layers of bog mud, and her pretty face marred by bruises. How can these be the happiest moments of my life? Gripp struggled with the knowledge, but ultimately, he couldn’t fight it. He had been happier waking up in a cold, rocky cave with April in his arms than he was back here on the base with all the creature comforts. Seeing her clean, rested, and happy enticed him, but it also made him sure that a relationship between them would never work. Now he could see the real April and recognized a bright light like her should never be anywhere near the violent, deep darkness that lived in his soul. “So,” April said, taking a bite of salad. “Do you think you
- Writer
