Gilly’s pale face was the first thing I saw as I entered the medical wing. She lay propped up against pillows. It was sad to see her usually vibrant energy diminished. Yet her eyes—were open and clear. I was relieved but then quickly as the relief came, it was accompanied by concern. I had waited so long to see her awake, but the shadows beneath her eyes told me her ordeal wasn’t over.

Rachel, Ardan, Zone, and I surrounded her, as though we feared she might vanish again if we blinked.

His hands shook as he bent closer to embrace her and felt her body safe against his, fragile as...