CELINE

I grit my teeth as sharp pain shoots through my senses, but I endure it. This isn’t the first serious wound I’ve had.

By the time she finishes fifteen minutes later, I’m drenched in sweat, my clothes sticking to my body, and I’ve torn up my lower lip from biting it, but it’s true—the sharp pain from the beginning has faded.

“You need to leave this on for a few days, and you’ll heal, don’t worry,” she explains, wiping her forehead tiredly.

“Thank you so much, Laila. I don’t know how to repay you…”

“I’m just returning your kindness,” she smiles, and I return the gesture out of courtesy.

“By the way, get plenty of rest, Celine. Tonight, we’ll pass near the place you want to go. You need to be ready to run into the forest.”

I nod, thanking her again. I finish the broth and lie down to wait for my chance while the caravan continues on its way, the wheels rattling over the dirt road.

Laila stays with me for a while, and when we stop again, now at night, she gets off and signals for m