Apart

By the time Matteo regained consciousness, he was already in the abbey. Looking at his surroundings, his hand supported his aching head as he proceeded to stand up. He was in a dimly lit room that looked like a refugee house.

"They were going to take you unconscious if you didn't wake. You should go now," a voice said.

"Rosalie," his hoarse voice called out as he reached for her.

She leaned outward so he couldn't touch her. "You shouldn't be here," she whispered.

Her hair was let down once again, and she was that timid-looking ghost once more. "You don't belong here." Matteo said.

"I've lived here before. This is where I'm meant to be," she said, fiddling her sleeve.

"Your mother brought you here because she was on the run for her crimes. Why do you have to suffer alongside her?"

"I have my crimes too. Matteo, you should go now."

"You and your mother, you'll be safe with me. I have a plan. The chief police..."