By the time we make it back upstairs, the adrenaline that carried me through however many days it’s been has finally burned itself out. My body feels heavy in a way that has nothing to do with injury and everything to do with exhaustion settling into my bones.
Oliver notices without me saying a word and nudges me gently toward the bathroom, muttering something about clothes and towels. I don’t argue because I no longer have the energy to. As soon as the bathroom door closes behind me, the sound of running water feels like permission to let go.
Letting the heat wash over me, I absent-mindedly scrub away the smell of smoke and fear along with any lingering tension. My movements are slow and careful as the nearly healed wound along my side pulls in quiet protest, a dull ache still lingeri
