Heartless

Terrier sat in the corner, contemplating the letter in his hands. He'd read it at least a dozen times, and still he couldn't take it in. He would not be able to handle it. He couldn't. He couldn't pull off something like that. But he thought of the threat. The threat that he could not ignore. He knew they'd carry out the action, because that was how heartless they were. But to prevent them doing that, did he have to be so heartless himself? Sometimes he wasn't sure if he even had a heart anymore. He would convince himself that his love for Chloe came from his soul, because his heart had been torn out months ago. He could still hear it beating, but it was just a time bomb waiting to explode. He sighed, reading the letter over again. He knew he didn't have a choice, but he didn't want to have to admit that. He reached into his pocket, reassuring himself the seashell was still there. He pulled it out quickly, before closing his palm tightly around it, and repocketing it. He would be okay. Someone had to be.

[191 words]