ELLIOT

I left a note drawn on the stone tile with charcoal in case she woke up suddenly.

After kissing her head, I refilled the fireplace with more wood and covered her well with her slightly disheveled clothes.

She stayed warm by the fire while I stepped out into the backyard.

The old wooden fence bordering the forest was falling apart, vines spreading across it like they owned the place.

I glanced back at the imposing mansion, its shadows stretching over the damp walls covered in lush wisteri