“I’ll leave before anyone wakes up. Promise.” “They’ll hear us,” I said, my heart pounding in growing panic. “I’ll take off my boots.” “How will that help you keep your mouth shut while we have sex?”

“the rain is coming.little sister, the night broke. the thunder cracked my brain finally. the rain is coming, i promise you. i didn’t mean to but your tears will bring life back. purple flowers grow, the colour blood looks in the veins. they’ll sprout out of my chest. i promise you they’ll crack the ground, grow over the freeways, down the slopes to the sea. i’ll be in their faces. i’ll be in the waves, coming down from the sky. i’ll be inside the one who holds you.and then i won’t be.”

“Cool!” he said. “Did you know if you wake someone up when they’re sleepwalking, they’ll die?” I threw him a cynical look. “Where’d you hear that?” He shrugged. “I read it somewhere. We should try it. Next time, I’ll wake you up, and if you die…”

“Watch your mouth,” Mahlia said, “or I’ll stitch your guts shut.”

“His chin grazed the top of my head and then his lips brushed across my forehead.“I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “I’ll be right here when you wake up, sweetheart. I promise.”

“I still promise. Every day for the rest of my life. I’ll hold your dreams, wishes, hopes and fears forever. I Promise to never give up on us and to love you with every beat of my heart till the end of time.I miss you.Jared xxx”