Xavier

As I chewed the food Alice fed me, I felt a surge of gratitude toward her. She was taking care of me, nursing me back to health. I swallowed the bite and smiled weakly. "I think I'm okay now," I said, trying to reassure her.

But Alice wouldn't have it. "Eat, please," she coaxed, her eyes pleading with me. I didn't have a choice; I took another bite, the flavors dancing on my tongue.

Just as I was savoring the taste, Alice asked, "Are you really going to die?" Her words caught me off guard, and I choked on the food. Coughing, I struggled to catch my breath.

She...