The Binding

by Bridget Collins

Here I was invisible; here I could be part of the emptiness.

She made it sound so right—so necessary; like a doctor describing an amputation.

We make books—we make beautiful books—out of love.”

I almost felt like I was in love too.

“It’s you I want. If you don’t, then I’d rather have no one at all.”

“Lucian,” I said. “No one will find out.” “I hate this. I fucking hate it.” “I know.”

“I’m sorry.” In spite of everything I want him to love me.

When you’re starving, it’s dangerous to eat too much, too soon.