Chapter Text
…
I crumple the politely-written note in my fist, and throw it in the trash.
I don’t need it.
I don’t need to know it.
Daniel was an absolute angel to wait up for me like this, but…
“He had his friends come all the way here just to give me a snuff note”.
“…I guess he thought it was important or something”.
Our baby girl gurgles on his lap, contentedly trying to eat his fingers.
She’s got no clue.
I’d like to keep it that way.
“Well?”
“Well what?”
…
“How do you feel about this?”
“It’s not unexpected, unfortunately…”
“Yes?”
I raise an eyebrow.
“And?”
…
“And I don’t like it.
Who would?”
He sighs.
“They’ve grown used to it though…
That they just give their girls up without a fight”.
“And their women too, I presume?”
“You have no idea”.
“…
…How many will this monster eat before somebody finally does something about it!?”
“I keep getting the impression that nobody but us sees it that way”.
“Then let’s just leave”.
He starts in his seat.
The baby gives a surprised gasp.
“Leave?”
“Yes”.
It seems obvious to me…
“If we’re out-numbered and out-played, who says we have to stay?
They can do whatever the heck they want-“
“I’ve seen people leave before, and some of them became meat shells”.
“So we just won’t get caught”.
I start to move around the room, shoveling things into a plain, brown sack.
“We live right on the border after all…
It should be a piece of cake”.
“…You always were the optimist”.
A tired smile is on his face.
I wink.
“That’s why you love me”.