Linao's decision

"Hey..." he said, slightly alarmed at her anger. "It's okay. I already said you didn't have to do it. I'll just... we'll just have to find another way. Go home and forget about all of this if you want. Live your life."

He tried to caress her face, comfort her, but she turned away from his touch.

"Like I have that option now," she hissed, still angry. "But you're right. This is my life. My decision. ...And I think I should go," she said with a stubborn tone in her voice that he cringed to hear.

"Good luck," he said sincerely to her. "In everything. I pray the fates are kinder to you than my unfortunate friends."

With that, she turned and walked away from him down the sidewalk. Jeriel stood and watched her. As she got further and further away, he mumbled under his breath, "Follow her. That's all we can do for now."

summary written by Cherie