Turning away, Rose tried to steam away gracefully, trying to not stop and break into a flood of tears in front of them or let her heart fall right out of her body and shatter on the gravel. She didn’t wait for an invite when she got to the large looming entrance, but pushed open the heavy wooden door, almost fleeing up the stairs to Abby’s room; glad that it was unlocked, and she had no need for her key. Knocking on Abby’s door desperately when she reached it and pushing it open reluctantly, she found it empty.

Her heart was trying to leave her body by way of her...