#Chapter 354 - Grief

I lean hard against Jackson, half awake. We’re given the rest of the day to rest with plans to ship us back to school that night. Most of my fellow Cadets and friends sleep in the tents provided for us, but I’m unable to find rest. Instead I just sit in a weird little waking coma of grief, staring into space a lot, thinking about Tony, considering how terribly unfair this world is. Hating this stupid, ridiculous war. Hating Atalaxia most of all. Ben comes back and we all stay close, but Jackson stays by my side like a burr. Luca too, but not in the same way Jackson does – Jacks, he tries to hide it by dampening our bond, but he’s so, so worried about me, even as I assure him again and again that I’m fine – or, at least, that I will be. He believes me – I know that he does – but still, there’s not a moment when he’s not touching me, bringing me water and snacks, predicting my needs even before I can think to want something. Dad and Roger get on a video call with mom and Cora at