"Are you happy?"
I hadn't yet gathered my thoughts, but what I heard made me pause momentarily.
Alysia?
Is that her real name?
"You found out I was dying slowly, you saw my arm cut off. Answer honestly, do not even try to lie."
Alice, or rather... Alysia, swallowed before answering. Her expression grew more tense, her demeanor more agitated.
And yet...
"Yes..."
I couldn't even blink my eyes as I listened to the dialog between the two.
I was simply... stiff.
But, then, a hand landed on my shoulder, Aiden's hand.
I turned slightly to look at him... and saw the seriousness in his face.
He didn't speak, he didn't make a sound.
But... his expression said more than enough.
Now is not the time.
It will come.
Do what you have to do.
...
He pulled his hand back and gave me one last look.
It was as if he was asking 'okay'.