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Story: Maklr

Maklr’s eyes softened. “Thank you for telling me; for trusting me enough. I’m sorry you had to experience that violence.” He reached out to rub her shoulder, but yanked his hand away. “Do you want me to give you a few minutes? I can walk you to your room.”

No. Don’t leave me. I’ve had enough. Do we have tea?“We do. Do you want the tea here, or in the kitchen?”

A slight change of scenery might do wonders.

“Would you like to sit outside? I’ll start a fire in the fire pit and bring some tea.”

I’ll wait here while you make it. I can see you in the kitchen.

“Ready for the firepit?” Maklr asked a few minutes later.

Maklr let Nell set the pace. They walked outside, mugs in hand. Nell settled on an Adirondack style chair. He sat with her in companionable silence for hours.

Could I think for a bit by myself, please,she typed after Maklr disappeared inside the house to make some lunch.I’m not hungry.

“I’ll leave you to it. I’m here if you need.”

I know. Thank you.

She remained outside, with Maklr coming out to check on her at regular intervals. He refilled her mug with tea and corul until the light nestled against the horizon, bathing the land with brilliant shades of color.

“Want to head inside?” Maklr asked. “I turned the bed down for you.”

Nell smiled.I’m getting chilly.

“I’ll put the fire out while you get ready. Do you want me to meet you inside?”

Nell nodded, slipping inside the cabin.

Maklr called to her as he entered the house, narrating his every step. He continued until he found her sitting on the bed, holding the stuffed animal. She wore her baggiest pair of sweatpants and an oversized sweatshirt.

Nell typed furiously into the tablet.I’m embarrassed by my reaction. I should be over it by now.

“No, you shouldn’t. It’s a lot of trauma to process. I know you’ve been talking to Charlie. Do your sessions with her help?”

Sometimes. The nightmares stopped for a while.

“How long?”

Since I started therapy. They’d been mostly absent until Philtan’s flippant comment.

Maklr balled his hands into fists. “Do you want me to punch him again?”

No. You’d only hurt yourself.

“How can I help you?”

I don’t know. It’s like a pressure on me all of the time. I want this weight gone because I can’t for the life of me figure out a way to breathe again.Nell slowly raised her head to meet Maklr’s gaze.

“You’re doing it, Nell, one step at a time. If you think you can’t take that step, I’ll hold you up. One breath at a time, and when you think you can’t breathe anymore, I’ll keep breathing for you.”

“Do you mean that?” Nell didn’t use the tablet.

“Absolutely.”

She began to write, taking her time, a plan formulating in her head. After a while, she handed Maklr the tablet.

“You want me to do what?” he asked.