The cave’s chamber wasn’t large, though it seemed the space between them was a vast chasm. Too much space. Too much time. A five-weeks-made chasm. No. Five years. Here he had been endlessly mourning for his loss, which had been a measly 35 days compared to her nearly two-thousand. Aron couldn’t imagine having been without Nevaeh that long, yet she had to face just that. Guilt pressed down on his head as his tears multiplied. Nevaeh had more right to wear the sadness that he had been parading around like an ugly badge since she had been taken.
This was all his fault. He hadn’t protected her enough. He hadn’t come for her quick enough.
“Daddy, why are you crying?” Derrah asked while moving her little finger across his cheek. “Are you sad?”
Aron shook his head, his eyes still glued onto th
