“I want to turn back the clock to before . . .” Her words are soft. Crumpled. Initially, she wasn’t planning on saying anything as she neared the other. After all, it wasn’t quite his style. But she couldn’t stop herself, as thoughts spilled from cut lips regardless if she wanted them to.
“Before Peacemaker―” Her voice breaks, and it feels as if the weight of the world was suffocating her. “B-before Abner―” Cleo sniffles, the rat nest ( quite literally, in some cases ) atop her head covered her face as her shoulders hunched. “We . . . we did a good thing, but ― but that won’t b-bring them back. It won’t make things like before.” Another sharp inhale catches, as she attempts to steady her breathing.
“. . . I miss it so much. I miss them― us. The team.” They were the only friends she had known. Upon the streets, none of the other children wished to even get near her. Nevertheless, play with her. Get to know her. No, all she had was her Papa and the rats. And then only the rats. And while she still cherished them. And she was still grateful for her friends who survived, more than anything she missed the naivety she once held. Before the betrayal. Before the death. "I don't know how to carry this."