Haylie POV
I didn't know how long I had sat there among the rocks near the lake, staring out at the water. I had cried so much that my tears had dried up on their own, leaving only the hollow sound of my sobs echoing in my chest.
What was the meaning of it all? My cries led to nothing, and my heart remained shattered. The only thing that felt real was the fresh sting of the tattoo etched into my ribs. I couldn't bring myself to wear a bra this morning—the rawness of the skin wouldn't allow it—but that pain was the only anchor tethering me to reality.
After what felt like an eternity, I decided to stand, though my legs were numb and heavy. Life was waiting for me somewhere out there, as much as I wished I could stay in this stillness forever. The weight in my body pulled at me as I rose, my footsteps slow and deliberate on the rocky ground.
