Mason took off his coat and put it on Zoe when they were on their way home.

He could touch every single bone in her ribs when he was putting it on for her. She was so weak that she didn’t fight back. All she did was lean back on the passenger seat.

The black coat had covered half her face, but he could see enough to tell that her cheeks were sunken in a sickly manner. The sight was enough to send a chill down his spine.

Throughout the entire journey, she kept quiet and stared out the car window. She watched as the crescent moon set and the sun rose above the horizon. She said ever so softly, “Happy New Year, Mason!”

He wasn’t delighted by her wishes. He knew this was farewell. This was the last New Year they’d spend together. He was reluctant to let her go and set her free. He wanted her by his side again.

The car stopped at the intersection. Silence hung in the car. All he could hear was Zoe’s frail breathing. He said in a husky voice, “I’m sorry, Zoe.”

He tried to hold her