[She hadn't been expecting that, for a stranger to sweep in to defend her, taking a wary step back, just to ensure she was out of arm's reach as she studied the man uncertainly.]
All right. Not real. [Repeated in a quieter tone, somewhat as if she was trying out the words for herself. Which in some ways she was; mimicking other's words was the only real way she had to learn lately. But she seemed to accept the assessment, nodding as she swiped the blood under her nose away with the sleeve of her jacket.]
Papa is dead.
[Finality there, and certainly no sadness. Helping to reassure herself that the man was right. Papa was dead, so there was no way he could actually be standing before them.]
Obviously
All right. Not real. [Repeated in a quieter tone, somewhat as if she was trying out the words for herself. Which in some ways she was; mimicking other's words was the only real way she had to learn lately. But she seemed to accept the assessment, nodding as she swiped the blood under her nose away with the sleeve of her jacket.]
Papa is dead.
[Finality there, and certainly no sadness. Helping to reassure herself that the man was right. Papa was dead, so there was no way he could actually be standing before them.]
A trick?