Heather
64
The hills around them oozed ancient, and Heather could feel it seeping into her pores. Her mother’s feet made soft chufling noises in the field behind the barn. Despite her fears and fatigue, Heather still felt alive here. Her eyes were open wide. No more delusions. If she had to die, she would die. People all around her died. Everyone died. And lots of people died before they wanted to. She was no different.
There had been a strange warming in the hills the past four days, so it wasn’t cold enough to frost her tears to her cheeks. She smeared them off with her mittens instead and sniffed. She pulled a mitten off and fished around in her pockets for a handkerchief. She didn’t want to cry anymore. Not now. Crying felt too close to defeat.
While she had battled severe depressi
