Page 303 of Taken Away

Mabel's lips trembled.

“She’s… already coming.”

Something inside Anne broke.

Even now.

Even barely able to breathe, Mabel was still deciding.

Who belonged.

Who stayed.

Who got Blackwood.

Anne looked toward the bed.

The velvet pillow lay near Mabel's hand.

She remembered picking it up.

She remembered Mabel looking at her.

And Anne remembered thinking only one thing.

Stop.

Stop talking.

Stop choosing.

Stop taking.

The pillow covered Mabel's face.

Anne pressed down.

For however many years she had left, Anne knew she would remember Mabel's hands.

Not fighting.

Reaching.

One hand caught Anne's wrist.

And held on.

Then slowly loosened.

The room went still.

Anne lifted the pillow.

Mabel did not move.

“No.”

The word came from Anne.