It doesn’t take them too long to get past the edge of town and towards the beach. The grass thins out to sand, and though they’re far from town in a matter of minutes, Lent keeps a firm hold on Milly’s hand. They haven’t told anyone, nor expressed it if they can help it, but they’re terrified.
Their quiet approach along the beach both puts Lent at ease and less so, as they’re given time to think. “Milly.” They ask suddenly, quietly. “Do you.. have siblings?”
It feels a little nice, getting to take a scenic stroll over to their stop. Whenever the wind tickles her cheeks, if only for a moment, she forgets the aching in her heart and the loneliness she’s carrying around.
“I do- I have a little brother. I thought he’d forget me but he didn’t…”
“Really?” Lent turns to her in surprise, the wind pushing their bangs out of their face for once. “That’s… good. If he remembered you, maybe my sister will remember me, somehow…” If you can recall someone you’ve never met. Lent’s quiet for a few more moments, their eyes naturally looking for shells along the beach. “I just hope she doesn’t.. Mm, I don’t know.” …… “I got raised by part of our family. She didn’t.” They don’t know why their parents made that choice.
The beach stretches on, but in the distance you can see that you’re actually going under the cliff that the convent sits on.
Milly tilts her head, frowning. “Was there a reason…?”
“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never met my parents, and aunt and uncle just said I was given to them for a better life.” Lent sighs, bitter. “Didn’t turn out.”
“….Oh……” Some silence.
“How did you change your life?”
<-about to be dramatic. “I died.” Lent steps over a hunk of driftwood. “Then I started all over again.”