But maybe she was tired of saving people. Maybe she was tired of always being the strong one, always being the one to put others first. How long did she have to do that for? How many times did she have to be beaten down before she was allowed to just give up?
One more chance... Her fingers reached up to lightly trail the wood of the door. "You have no idea," she said softly. "No idea how badly it hurts each and every time. I give in, I try and accept it, and then you, or someone else..." The memory sent a chill down her back and she had to gasp back a sob. This wasn't a time for crying. She'd done enough of that. Now she was more numb than anything else.
Maybe she did deserve to feel safe and loved. Maybe she was meant to have that security enveloping her. But she didn't and she wasn't sure how she ever could again. "I know you love me," she whispered, despite herself. "I do. I know other people do, too. That's..." There was a moment of hesitation. She hadn't been this upfront with anyone since she'd been pulled into this world. Real or not real. "That's why it's so hard. Don't you see? Loving someone so much just to have them turn on you..." And he hadn't done so right away, no. Not in the level that was like this one. A safe and happy return home just to be denied. There, he'd lure her in with words of love and hope and kindness, and then... God, she could still feel the blade between her ribs.
And the only thing that hurt more than the actual ripping of muscle and tendon and skin as he pulled her heart out was the betrayal she felt on repeat.