Where his voice found no words, Zinnia’s words seemed to find a voice for them both. The way she spoke was sincere and caring as if they were lifelong friends despite only knowing each other very briefly. And it was in that fact, Thomas felt, that he took comfort. She had no attachment to him. No way to judge him. He had no predisposition to act a certain way around her. It made him vulnerable; exposed and when the world feels like it is caving in on itself and the rubble is burying you, it was good to be exposed lest you suffocated.

Her words were the oxygen he needed. Managing a soft smile, Thomas nodded.

It was time, he supposed, to face the inevitable.

---

[FIN]