Sloane had spent the better part of the afternoon in the Hatchitt’s parlor, quietly reading her book. Things felt lighter over there, not so suffocating. It felt a little more like home than her own house did right now. She wasn’t proud of this fact, and she knew it was hard on her mum, but at least she wasn’t far away, and Mrs. Hatchitt always knew she was there, kept bringing her tea and snacks. It was just easier and Sloane needed something easy these days. Everything else was so difficult, so overwhelming, and she hadn’t figured out how to make it all mesh back together again.

Quietly she slipped into the back door through the garden, thankful they had a gate between the houses and she didn’t have to go too far. She knew hiding away wasn’t the best way to handle the situation, but she didn’t know what else to do. Going back to the zoo and her apprenticeship had been on her mind for a little while now, and she thought she needed to talk it through with someone, but thought Lester might be the best choice. She’d have to try and catch him after a shift as soon as she could.

She crossed into their sitting room, finding Alvin looking over some paperwork, brows furrowed and frowning. Unsure as to how best to proceed, she went to go upstairs, but his voice cut through her, stopping her in her tracks.