A week later in the outcast territory, Neve and Popi were finally able to walk about freely.
It had taken a few days for them to get used to it. They had to get used to the stares. They had to get used to the weather and everything about the outcast territory. They had to adapt to their new reality of being prisoners who were also allowed to roam.
Popi wished she would just stay holed up in the cave since it was under Zyreth's direct protection. At least inside the prison, she felt somewhat safe. At least inside the stone walls, she felt like she had some control over her own space.
Whenever she was out here in the open territory, she felt suffocated by the stares. She hated it intensely. It felt like those hungry outcasts were waiting for a perfect moment to pounce on her. It felt like they were predators and she was prey.
