Annabelle doesn't resist when Lauren moves to hold her again, and she reciprocates the hold; this time, it's tight and desperate, her finger tips snaring the fabric of his shirt again as she clings, choking out another cry. She tries to suppress it, but annoyingly, she can't—especially feeling Lauren tremble with his quiet crying, seeing his red eyes, Susan's blood.

But...the contact makes it hurt a little less, or maybe that isn't accurate. It makes it more bearable. She sniffles loudly, hugging him tight.

She thinks that how Lauren felt about Susan is how the hermit must have felt about her. She feels guilty, now, scorning his care; misunderstanding his love. She tucks her face against his neck, staining the neck of his dirty shirt with her tears.

"You're a good man, Lauren," she whispers unsteadily, and strokes the back of his head. "You've a good heart."