KEILAH

I observed Ralph's handsome face intently, waiting with patience as he wrestled with the words, his reluctance palpable in the furrow of his brow. As he struggled to find the words, I felt the urge to reassure him, to let him know that he needn't share if it caused him distress, but curiosity was gnawing at me. I needed to understand the source of his deep-seated aversion towards humans, even if extracting the truth caused him evident anguish.

With a heavy sigh, he closed his eyes briefly, gathering the courage to delve into the depths of his pain, to expose the raw wound that had festered within him for...