81 Milaya, Amore Mio

- VANESSA -

The whole way Dominik carries me through the woods, my mind is filled with peaceful silence. No memories of what happened are pressing into me, making themselves a permanent part of my memory. I'll never forget it, but the extra haunting layer has been removed. Dominik has exorcised it with his presence. 

I'm glad he doesn't have a shadow. I hope he doesn't. I never want to see that happen again. 

The truth behind that desperate thought forms into three words that start coming forth, wanting to be said. The confession gets so close—right in my mouth. Right on the edge of my tongue. 

I love you. That's what I want to say. I love you. I love you. I love you.

But I keep it to myself. It doesn't matter if Dominik doesn't feel that way or doesn't say it back, because the deep truth of that emotion remains, and it doesn't require a return. It will continue to be true without one. But it isn't the time.