Chapter 284

His right hand was trembling violently. It was still covered by a diving glove. I remembered asking him once why he always kept it on. He had said it made work easier. It had seemed reasonable enough, so I hadn't questioned it. But now... My breath caught as I reached for his gloved hand. He was unconscious, unable to resist, and I peeled the glove away with ease. When it came free, I clapped a hand over my mouth to stop a cry from escaping. His right hand. The palm was split by a raw, unhealed gash. The whole hand was swollen, red, eaten away by infection. It was barely recognizable as a hand at all. The wound had been there for days, festering until it had rotted like this. My chest ached with worry, but another question gnawed at me. When had he hurt himself? What could have done this? I forced myself to think back. And then it struck me. That afternoon when we had dived in the deep sea. After the tsunami, when we lost our torches, Ashton had used his bare hand to feel our way. That