ZORA

On our way back, we found a lake. As if Marissa wanted to make me feel better, she led me towards it despite the need to get back before the break of dawn. By the lake, she sat me down and treated my wound, but each time she cleaned it with the water, blood oozed out again.

“This is terrible.” She mumbled under her breath.

“You can't even walk properly, and this isn't gonna heal overnight.” She tore parts of her gown from the hem and wrapped it around my wound.

As I watched her in silence, my little pride in the mud, I wondered if I had become...