Nova scurries from under Alecto's paw back to huddle by Johnny's foot, but he's too stiff to pick her up.

He agreed. Just like that.

That's it.

Johnny has just signed a fucking contract with open-ended terms he put forth himself.

Lips moving soundlessly for a moment, he finally says, shaky, pale-faced and ghost-voiced, "Okay."

Should not have done this. Should not have said. Too late now and in any case it's so hard to resist these days, getting harder.

He bends to the sand and draws out a little line of dashes.

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