Page 95 of Molt

“And when there isn’t enough left…”

She opens her eyes. “You kill me.”

The memory jerks.

Different angle. Different moment.

June beneath me. My hands around her throat. Her hands around my wrists. She isn’t fighting. She’s crying.

So am I. “I’m sorry.”

“I know.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know.”

“Please come back.”

“I will.”

“Promise.”

“I promise.”

I squeeze.

She stops breathing.

I scream.

The memory breaks.

We slam back into the apartment and she shoves me away.

I stumble into the wall as she gasps for air. Her hand goes to her throat. Finger-shaped bruises bloom across her skin.

My fingerprints. “No.”

I reach for her.

She backs away. “No.”

“Lenora…”

“You killed me.”

“I didn’t know.”

“You strangled me.”

“I know.”

“You fucking killed me.”

“I KNOW.” The shout tears out of me. I punch the wall. Pain explodes through my hand.

Good. I deserve it.