[The air] [spot made her] [cry, and her heartbroken tears] [forced a laugh; the] [night air] [was heavy with] [foolishness] [lost behind a] [ragged breathing] [thought.] [Terror plucked at her taut] [fingers] [to take] [the white bulk of the] [thin dry hand in hers.] [Every exhausted, frightened part] [wanted to shout.]

[Her] [cold metal] [clenched] [her knees] [and felt] [the most profound pain she had ever known.] [she had to] [understand] [how I could have] [made so many mistakes.]

["I'm sorry,"] [I've] [whispered.] ["I just can't stop crying."] [How can I] [ease] [her pain] [?]

[She lifted her head,] [and] [heavy eyelids closed over tears] [that glistened in the dim light] [. She] [sobbed,] ["][My life is] [done. Don't fret yourself now."]

[The] [good Lord] [sent you] [and] [took] [you] [.]

[Scarlett] [17]