She knows exactly what he means. A chill runs the length of her spine and a wave of tension runs anew through her muscles. Hayley stares at him, stubborn and rebellious, but it only lasts a few seconds. In a mixture of weakness and self-preservation, her gaze drops again. More tears fall, this time out of anger with herself than anything he said directly.

It hadn't occurred to her until his words that this might not end here. That if they leave, that doesn't magically make them better. This might not be an illusion. It might be a permanent change in them, something they can never fight past or overcome. The thought makes her nauseous.

Hayley remains silent, shaking, and tense. He's taken her dignity and most of her fight as well. There's little left to rob her of beyond her physical health.