Re: OT Alex
He was relieved that she would come. In truth, he hadn't thought that Lorna would refuse. He was just afraid of how it would seem. Without another word the man turned and led them both out of the crowd. In the opposite direction from the buildings, so they wouldn't have to contend with any number of people expressing sympathy and well wishes. All the words in the world couldn't bring him back, and though he knew they all meant well, Alex had just had his fill of it for one day.
It wasn't until they were a fairly long way into the woods that he'd stop, leaning against a tree and staring up at the patch of blue sky that was still visible through the trees. It was a relief to not be alone, but at the same the silence was almost awkward. After a long moment he'd finally look over at her, a quiet sigh escaping him. "I'm sorry, Lorna. I wish..." that he could change what had happened? That there was a way to undo it? That he could have convinced the kid not to sleep around like that? None of it made any difference now, of course. And he felt like the world was collapsing around him, without any way to stop it.