An ironic smile touches my lips. How funny. Once again, I feel trapped. Like I am being held against my will. This time though I get to go back home and return to my neat life.

Back to my simple, uncomplicated world.

Back to the memories and the pain.

A place without Danny. He would never come into my world.

His life was too messy and complicated for me, and my world was not his world. His family's way of life is part of him, and there was no way that I could ever try to erase that part of him.

I had just wanted the chance to introduce him to a better world, a world where he could free from all his demons. A place where he could be just Danny.

Danny. I wonder what he must think of me right now. Without knowing it, I had opened up to him, and made a fool out of myself. Still, there was no reason for Danny to ever give my pleas any credence. He will probably chalk it up to just being hit on the head. Yet, he had stayed with me when I needed him.

It comforted me a little knowing that he had been there, by my side. It made this whole crisis a bit more bearable. Aleast I know that he still cared a little about me. I would care that knowledge around with me, and hold it close to my heart.

Brushing my hair back from my forehead, I am half relieved that Danny will not be here with me. I wanted him to be by my side, but I was so afraid of just being a burden on him.

I was not going to allow myself to lean on someone who does not love me anymore. I didn't have the stomach to deal with Danny feeling obliged to me. I had to give him his freedom. I had to face this alone.

I was not alone though. I had Rick, Abby, Vanessa, Bill, Aunt Meta, and Holly. I should be grateful to have so many wonderful people in my life. It was time to stop mourning about something that was not going to happen. It was done. Now, I had to pick up the pieces and face this all alone.

Don't be so fatalistic, Michelle. Rick said it himself, you don't know anything yet. So, there is a chance that everything is fine. Everything has to be fine. It has to be.

I don't know how much more change I can take. I was just beginning to feel like myself again, and I get hit with this. My worst fear might be coming true. How funny life had be. It could be so cruel, so harsh, and so devastating.

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