She stared up at the night sky, tears burning her eyes, refusing to fall but threatening to spill at any moment.
"I can't afford to fail you again…" she muttered softly, her voice trembling. "But I am afraid I might."
No matter her fear, Viola knew she couldn't give up now just because she was a little intimidated by her competitors. She wasn't afraid of death as much as she feared a long, miserable life filled with pain, remorse, loneliness, and endless pain. That kind of existence terrified her far more than dying ever could.
This morning, she had woken up feeling impossibly better because of Zoe's dog, who had stayed beside her and nibbled at her. She didn't mind his gentle biting and licking, as long as she could feel the kind of peace she had experienced last night, her first ever sleep that had soothed something restless inside her.
Perhaps she should ask to bring the dog to stay with her again tonight, because she was afraid to sleep alone. She would call Zoe and—
