Matilda's pov

I kept playing it over and over. I was afraid of the way Michael had choked in response. I had been waiting for him to say something that was truly true for days, and when he finally did, I was completely perplexed.

Once, when his walls had crept, silence—which had always been his armor—made it ten times worse.

I was unable to remain motionless any longer. Maya dozed off after two of the campfires went out. I wrapped a shawl around my neck and made my way into the forest. ...