As Camio turned and looked at her, Nova clung to every word he said. She listened, sad and confused. She didn't understand why he had to go. He never explained what it was that was bothering him, and Nova didn't think he'd tell her now. Or maybe even ever. He said he would never lie... Did that mean the rest of it was true? Was he really a murderer? He couldn't possibly have killed Mapplethorpe, could he?

Oddly enough, the possibility that he had been truthful about being a killer was what bothered her the least about this whole situation. They could work their way through any of that. Nova had been at his side for months now, and what she had seen of him, he was kind and generous to her. Any of the rest of it would be impossible to work past if he left. There would be nothing, no them.

"If you love me then you'll wait for me to return." He said to her, punctuated by a soft whine. Her heart pulled towards him, begged her to keep following. She knew it would be selfish, and she had been selfish enough already, so she stayed still.

It felt like a lump had formed in her throat, tight and uncomfortable. She wanted to cry and beg for him to just stop and come back. Instead, she clenched her teeth and held back a sob that threatened to break loose. This was all her fault. If she hadn't followed him, if she hadn't kept pushing it, if she had just left him alone when he told her to, maybe she would have woken up to him right at her side once the sun had risen.