Madriod's POV

It’s been weeks. I’m not even kidding, WEEKS of nonstop watching over Elsie. Like, I’ve barely slept, and my hair is probably sticking up in five different directions, but who cares? She’s been super sick, like scary sick, with these crazy fevers and bad dreams. But now, finally, there’s this tiny light at the end of the tunnel.

Elsie’s eyes flutter open, and I’m sitting there like a total zombie, but her gaze locks onto mine. And she’s smiling like, really smiling for the first time in forever. Her hand reaches out, shaky and small, but it’s enough to make me choke up.

“Madriod,” she whispers, her voice...