we do everything right and still lose

HENRY

It's such a tragic end to this part of his life. He'd always wanted to fly from the nest eventually, but not because it was burned to the ground and all he knew was gone. He could never return, there's nothing to go home to. Not even a home.

Aisha hesitates to approach him and it hurts, even though he knows it shouldn't. He'd shouted at her, he was angry at her, even blamed her. But it's not how he wants to be towards her. The fact she's still here breaks his heart even further, until it's in nothing but pieces. He can feel it breaking, can feel the pain deep in his chest as if it's been hollowed out. That pain locks his steps, sealing his leaden feet to the ground and he lurches, pulling his hand up to his heart.

The gentle touch along his forearm stills his breath and welcomes another flow of stormy tears. He holds her gaze, his own tremoring with such sorrow and longing. That hand against his chest goes towards her, open and welcoming yet so lifeless. "They're gone," he repeats it, but this time it's a broken whisper against the ashy air.

"What am I supposed to do, Aisha?"

wherever you run, you see all you leave behind you
lies inside anyone you open