07/02/2026 10:13

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I walked until the full skirt of my dress brushed his legs; the skirt swirled out and covered the toes of his polished shoes. “The wagon,” he said. The camera is hidden. then I’ll be free, I’llbe whole again, this will be over, this will end, it’ll end.

I knew it had been Bales, but I couldn’t prove it. The tears started again, silent. It wasn't so much graceful as almost embarrassed. I hadn't wanted to know.