427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstdE0Rs2Ok
They sat there for a long time, saying nothing.
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The apartment was silent except for the hum of pipes in the walls.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbBOdXoACd
Lena didn’t look at Marcus. She picked at the fraying seam on her sleeve, eyes red and swollen.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1ul8obSun
Marcus kept his hand on her knee, grounding her.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx3uXxdUWJ
At some point, she let out a strangled sigh.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAKRaIenLe
“I hate this,” she whispered.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZWmJLfpNe
“I know.”
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ119bH7lbBp
“I hate how weak I feel.”
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j5jMPqQAD
Marcus shook his head. “You’re not weak.”
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwTXRG8iEn
She scoffed, voice cracking. “Look at me.”
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SxmyQ9Eww
“I am,” he said quietly. “I am looking at you. And I see someone who’s fighting like hell just to stay here.”
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopbdUvlHQK
Lena’s throat worked, but no sound came out.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH9nPC6IUA
Marcus squeezed her knee gently.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx2BCf2bG5
“You don’t have to pretend with me. Ever.”
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4THPMjEo2n
She closed her eyes, letting silent tears slide down her face.
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He didn’t flinch or pull away.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH6ORwDUY1
He let her cry.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ578gU7Bbxk
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJradiI7HpN
A soft knock at the door made them both jump.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nxko85fum
Marcus looked over.
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“Who the hell—”
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“It’s probably Jenna,” Lena mumbled, voice hoarse.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTvyVYMp9s
He got up carefully and opened the door.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIpoPLi6Ef
Their neighbor Jenna stood in the hall holding a small flashlight.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpY0qlNws8
“Sorry,” she said in a low voice. “I heard… I just wanted to check. Is everything okay?”
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Marcus hesitated.
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He glanced back at Lena, who sat hunched on the couch, rubbing her eyes.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOYhdH93O2
“We’re… we’re getting there,” Marcus said.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1MuU4y6Hw
Jenna’s expression softened. She looked at Lena.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMrwaSsrSn
“I’m right next door if you need anything,” Jenna said gently. “Even if it’s just someone to sit with you.”
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyn5ilI3nDL
Lena nodded once. She didn’t trust her voice.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tTJbpqYwX
“Thank you,” Marcus said.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z9mz4BYhb
Jenna gave them a sad little smile and backed away down the hall.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlKoj25JiV
Marcus closed the door and locked it.
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He turned back to Lena.
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“You’re not alone,” he said firmly.
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She sniffed. “I feel alone.”
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClYIaq6LNY
“I know.” He walked back to her and sat down again. “But I’m not leaving.”
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Lena wiped her nose on her sleeve.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyOWF3kkuH
She didn’t argue.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfriuNhicc1
Didn’t tell him to go.
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Didn’t say thank you, either.
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She just shifted over an inch on the couch.
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Enough space for him to sit closer.
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Marcus took the hint and slid in beside her.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp2OqoIqC1
They sat in the dark together, leaning just enough to feel the other’s warmth.
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMTpsl7uOa
Outside, the storm raged on.
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Inside, the quiet was still heavy.
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But it wasn’t empty anymore.
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427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu4WAYaclo
AUTHOR’S NOTE
This is the end of “When It Gets Too Quiet.” It’s fictional, but these feelings are real for many people. If you’re struggling, please talk to someone you trust. You matter. You’re not alone. 💛
ns216.73.217.23da2
and then Add to home screen.