"….. I just wanted to thank you."
She took a step closer, lowering her voice so the passing students wouldn't overhear.
"That time… in the fire… thank you so much. For everything. For stopping her. And for saving me."
I looked at her.
"So you do remember being controlled by Elena."
"Yes. I remember everything."
Clara gave a shadowed, melancholic smile.
"I remember the cold. I remember the voice in my head commanding me to hurt people. And I remember her… standing in front of me when the explosion happened."
She clenched her fists.
"Elena and I were childhood friends. We grew up together. Even now, after everything she did… I can't hate her. She was truly a good person, Lucien. Before the book."
Though I didn't ask, Clara began unraveling her story. Perhaps she needed someone to hear it—someone who saw the monster and let the girl live.
