Chapter 12 No Child

• From the window of his study, Pedro watched as the sleek sports car disappeared down the long driveway, followed by a strange hollowness which had absolutely nothing to do with the curse, expanding in his chest. It seemed that his years of wallowing in agony might be coming to an end. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he could see light at the end of the tunnel.
• 'Strange,' he thought, pressing a hand to his chest. The effect from her presence was more soothing than any of the medicinal concoctions Alex had prepared for him over the years.
• He had climbed to the second floor specifically to test how far he could be from her and still feel the effect. The moment he'd reached the landing, he'd noticed the relief beginning to wane. Now, with her completely off the premises, the familiar pain was creeping back like an unwelcome houseguest.