I sat in the bathtub, warm water consoling skin that had endured three months and almost two weeks of hell.
I stared at the white ceiling and let my body sink deeper into the warmth.
God, how I loved warm baths.
Other thoughts surfaced now that I was no longer running for my life. The quiet gave them room to breathe.
'I wonder how they're doing now…'
I had not thought about them once. Could not afford to in my position. Survival demanded a singular focus, and anything beyond the next threat was a luxury I could not spare. But now that I was free, my mind wandered there on its own.
How was Elena doing? Emma? The rest of my classmates. I could not help but wonder if they were still at the Academy or if they had gone their separate ways. Perhaps they had been going to gates and conquering Spirit Beasts, gaining experience, growing stronger.
'I need to do that too.'
I leaned up slightly, water sloshing against the tub's sides.
