Chapter 38

The pain was a living thing. It wrapped itself around Althea’s leg, sharp and unforgiving, pulsing with every beat of her heart. She leaned heavily against the thick trunk of an old tree, her breathing ragged as she tried,and failed,not to move her injured ankle. Even the slightest shift sent fire shooting up her leg, forcing tears to spring to her eyes. The forest was quiet except for the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze, but the silence felt cruel, like the world was watching her break and offering no comfort. Her fingers dug into the bark of the tree as she tried to push herself into a more stable position, but her body betrayed her, and she slipped, a cry ripping from her throat as her weight jarred her swollen ankle. She collapsed back onto the ground, trembling as the pain threatened to consume her. Her breaths came fast and shallow, her chest heaving as she pressed her hands against the dirt, grounding herself as best she could. But the pain wasn’t just in her leg anymo