They stayed like that for a long time, Brittney holding Grace close, her mind filled with memories, hopes, and dreams for a better future.
She thought about all the things she wanted to teach Grace and the things she wanted her to experience.
She wanted her to know love, to know joy, to know the beauty of the world, even in its broken state.
As the candle flickered and burned low and after forcing the precocious little girl into eating her own stew and taking a towel bath with some warm water, Grace finally drifted off to sleep, her breathing soft and even.
Brittney gently lay her back down on the mat, tucking the blankets around her.
She stood up, her muscles stiff from sitting for so long.
She looked down at Grace, her heart aching with love.
She knew she couldn't protect her
