bitternpillâ:
Barkis shook his head, aghast at the accusations that Emily seemed quite content to level against him, and none with any basis. âI would never try to force you out of a life you built,â he murmured, softer now, and that was true enough. He likes to play, to see what he could do, to see what sort of influence he had on people, especially those heâd loved or lost in one way or another, and Emily was the most innocent candidate for both realities in Barkisâs life. He was listening to her, actively even, curious to see what she had left to fight him on, when the child came up to her again, and Barkis squinted. Smiled, of course - he wasnât a monster - but he was certainly curious. Emily sent her away just as quickly as sheâd arrived, and Barkis, against his best instincts, cocked his head just slightly to the side. âHow old?â
She knew Barkis was bound to ask this question eventually, but she still wasnât even a little ready for it. The impulse to lie was instant, but Emily couldnât pass Helena off for that young. And i she lied than he would only have more questions but he might have more anyways. âTwelve,â she finally said before looking away from him so that she could look at Helena in the produce section. âAnd she will never be anywhere near you if I can help it. She doesnât need flaky, fake, people in her life.â















