Shallow River

by H.D. Carlton

Falling in love with Mako feels like stepping into a fire with his hand clasped firmly in mine. It burns, but I’m not alone.

lip trembles, and goddamn the bitch for giving me hope. I hate hope. I hate that word as much as I hate the word beautiful. Hope is hopeless. Hope is disappointment.

“Ryan was right about you. You’re so easy to kick down, it’s boring.”

And I stare at Billy’s dead body, and just smile.