⠀
⠀ "i don't (* care ) if you think you understand, you (* don't )! we both got bit — big deal. it doesn't mean you know how i feel!"
⠀
⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ [ @shehalfbie ]
⠀
⠀
⠀ "do you ever feel like you're not the person you thought you were? i guess ... every day i feel more and more like i'm losing it."
⠀
⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ [ @hauIfbie ]
⠀
⠀
⠀ "i don't know — i guess i'm just surprised. i haven't seen many kids your age left. most of them ... well, you know."
⠀
⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ [ @HALFBIEBAIRN ]
⠀
⠀
⠀ "good to know," ayla nods, foot tapping against the ground absentmindedly. "i wasn't (* really ) concerned, but ... you know. reassuring. can never have enough reassurance.
⠀
⠀ "but it's easy to be the bad guy without even doing anything bad, you +
⠀
⠀
⠀ "sure." she offers a lazy shrug, shoulders rolling. "some risks can be avoided, though. i prefer not to cross anyone's path if i can help it."
⠀
⠀ a beat. she takes a long drag, then coughs a little — she's not been feeling very well lately.
⠀
⠀ "but i guess +
⠀
⠀
⠀
⠀⠀⠀“⠀alright ˒˒ that’s valid.⠀”
⠀
⠀⠀⠀lighting his own cigarette and inhaling ˒˒ followed by blowing out the first bit of smoke.
⠀
⠀⠀⠀“⠀I just prefer to take the risks ˒˒ I guess⠀. . .⠀can’t be avoided ˒˒ anyway.⠀”
⠀
⠀
⠀
⠀ "i guess," he mumbles, holding the cigarette to her lips. "i just never know where people are hiding out. a light's not worth getting bludgeoned for. i grabbed a bunch from the gas station but i keep losin' them. stupid little things."
⠀
⠀
⠀
⠀⠀⠀nodding slowly ˒˒ pulling out a cigarette of his own. might as well while his lighter is out.
⠀
⠀⠀⠀“⠀you could always go out and nab a new one from a corner store ˒˒ y’know.⠀”
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⠀