A Merciful Lie

DARIO

After what felt like forever, her thoughts began to quiet, leaving only soft hiccups. I gently plucked at her hair, whispering,

“It’s okay, dear Serafina. I’m here. You’re not alone. It’s okay. I’m here. I’m so sorry.”

She tilted her head toward me, looking through swollen red eyes. “I didn’t know,” she whispered. “I thought he was alive. I thought we were all alive. I didn’t know he was go