Cissel realised in that moment just how much she had isolated herself. By blocking everyone out, she had essentially allowed her trauma to manipulate her thoughts and decisions based on incomplete facts.
She knew Mark, and the cruelty John described perfectly suited Mark's twisted nature. She also realised she had no idea what had happened to Ricky after she was brought to the infirmary.
Yet, even with this spark of curiosity, the thing that had broken deep inside her heart that day didn't mend itself. She wasn't ready to let go of her protective shell of suspicion.
"I'm going out now," John said, his voice accompanied by the sound of slowly pushing himself up from the floor. "The others are waiting. I'll make sure to tell them you said hi."
"But I didn't!"
Her voice finally cracked through the silence. It was weak, hoarse, and strained, sounding like a voice that had been dragged through the depths of hell, but it was hers.
