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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.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3gSAYP7JK
Lena didn’t look at Marcus. She picked at the fraying seam on her sleeve, eyes red and swollen.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxMQ4a5AfU
Marcus kept his hand on her knee, grounding her.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOZSEe8xHu
At some point, she let out a strangled sigh.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSXs4aUXg5
“I hate this,” she whispered.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDZ4KZg9Vv
“I know.”
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ49OvpDG0Q
“I hate how weak I feel.”
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95wqs6XyxE
Marcus shook his head. “You’re not weak.”
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRDnGk0vcr
She scoffed, voice cracking. “Look at me.”
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDfrqUzJha
“I am,” he said quietly. “I am looking at you. And I see someone who’s fighting like hell just to stay here.”
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH8rp8zjxB
Lena’s throat worked, but no sound came out.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMFmeHsPyH
Marcus squeezed her knee gently.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrafGxm8EOf
“You don’t have to pretend with me. Ever.”
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9MNQJFzBR
She closed her eyes, letting silent tears slide down her face.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ2wTllfXV
He didn’t flinch or pull away.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbbdFUGCpv
He let her cry.
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428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yxL7RKW1E
A soft knock at the door made them both jump.
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Marcus looked over.
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“Who the hell—”
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“It’s probably Jenna,” Lena mumbled, voice hoarse.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFFjYZBc7w
He got up carefully and opened the door.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ755Fq1lP1H
Their neighbor Jenna stood in the hall holding a small flashlight.
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“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.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKnqBdckwz
“We’re… we’re getting there,” Marcus said.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV22LFL1GTw
Jenna’s expression softened. She looked at Lena.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ElVjjlCl6
“I’m right next door if you need anything,” Jenna said gently. “Even if it’s just someone to sit with you.”
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1izcnw1OSm
Lena nodded once. She didn’t trust her voice.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFizdZGoLB
“Thank you,” Marcus said.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFCE3nR06n
Jenna gave them a sad little smile and backed away down the hall.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D94ggfwKB
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.”
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjzXavLzjX
“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.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBbuNRI09J
She didn’t argue.
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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.
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They sat in the dark together, leaning just enough to feel the other’s warmth.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxga4XcOMeo
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.
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4ereCpsNC
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3sIPjl1WP
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. 💛
ns216.73.216.204da2
and then Add to home screen.