The wizened woman paused in her ministrations to eye Brenda with a look of mingled pity and trepidation. As if daring to voice the truth they both suspected in their heart of hearts:
"You were within an inch of joining the next realm when I found you bloodied beneath an enclosed fronds, during my herbs hunt. The spirits themselves must have guided my steps that night."
Brenda cringed as the stranger's bony fingers prodded her wound. "Wh-who are you? Where am I?" She attempted to rise but fiery pain lanced through her collarbone.
"Hush now, you'll reopen those terrible bites." The old crone held a clay cup to Brenda's mouth. "Drink this tonic. It shall dull your suffering though the taste is foul."
The bitter brew made Brenda's tongue curl, but she forced it down, fighting the urge to r
