My mother lifts the torn shirt from over my head and gasps when she sees three deep claw marks across my back. I didn't realise my back had been clawed through the fight. The doctor dabs the wounds with something cold and wet.

　　I bite my bottom lip, 'It stings,' I cry.

　　'I'm sorry, Lylah, but we must clean it to prevent infection,' Doctor Matlin says.

　　I never felt the wound until he began cleaning it. The stinging becomes a horrible burning pain. I roll onto my side and hug myself, 'Stop! It hurts too much,' I cry.

　　'Doctor, let me try and heal some of her wounds,' my mother...