ticed until I stumbled into familiar territory. Everything around me seemed dull, muted, like the colors and sounds of the forest had dr

left her. She told me to run, but every step away from her felt like betrayal, like I'

en she spotted me, but the light in her eyes quickly faded when she took in the look on my face. S

rapping her arms around me.

ight for words, and I clung to her, feeling my legs finally give way beneath me. She sank to t

hoked out, unable to

mine with a growing look of horror. "Your mom

the truth of what had happened. I watched as understanding dawned on

sh, my words dissolving into another round of sobs. I felt l

face a mix of shock, grief, and something darker. His jaw was set, his hands clenched at

ce was barely a whisper

"She didn't... she didn't make it," I

y. But then he looked at me, really looked at me, and something in his ex

he asked, his tone

un, how I'd wanted to stay, but the words wouldn't come. All I c

d me to get away." I swallowed hard, my voi

st did it, didn't you? You ran while she..." His voice cracked, bu

coursing through me. "Levi, I - I didn't wa

twisting in anger. "What good are

eeper, cutting through any remnants of my resolve. I looked around, and I saw the others watching, their faces a mix of sympathy, pity... and resentm

g condolences, others just staring. I coul

reason Mi

e just leave

crificed herself for h

nted to scream, to tell them that I'd had no choice, that I'd wanted to stay, that I'd wanted

ered under his breath, before stalking off into the trees, leavin

e on," she said softly, leading me towa

usation. I kept my head down, trying to block out the whispers, the looks. I'd lost my

self. She closed the door behind us, giving us a rare moment of privacy. She sa

o, right?" she said gently. "Your mom... s

at way, Bea. Levi doesn't see it that way." My voice was small, fill

quietly. "He just lost his mother too. He

pered, my voice barely audible. "I feel like I fail

shoulder. "You're here, Amelia. You're alive. That's

the guilt gnawing at me, or the pain of knowing my own fami

ng pressing down on us. I could feel Bea's warm

ne else. I could feel it in the way they looked at me, the way they spoke to me, careful and guarded, as if

thering, watching as people shared their memories, their stories, honoring the woman who'd given her life to protect me. B

ted to speak, to tell them how brave she'd been, how fiercely she'd f

side me, his face drawn and tired. He did

ered, my voice trembling. "I lo

ze unreadable. "Then why didn't you fight for her, Amelia?" His wo

do was watch as he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alon