Chapter 38. Hail Mary

The tension between Lara and Claire grows palpable as they sit in the dimly lit living room of their cabin, the crackling fire in the fireplace casting dancing shadows on the walls.

The sky has turned dark blue, the sun long gone into its resting place, paving the way for a full moon to peep out from among the clouds. The soft whistling of the wind can be heard, as well as the creaking sound of the dancing windows.

It has been a long and exhausting day, filled with emotional highs and lows, and neither woman is in the mood for idle chatter.

“How much longer, Lara?” Claire breaks the silence, her voice echoing the melancholy inside her.

Lara remains mute, staring blackly at the fireplace.

“Answer me!” Claire thunders and she is jerked back to reality.

She slowly turns to take a glance at her friend, only to see Claire’s eyes red and watery. Her heart melts like wax. She needs to tell Claire the truth about what has been going on, no matter how pain