Dash approached Sal slowly. She was sitting by the escape pod, head buried in her hands. He crouched beside her, tentatively putting his hand on her shoulder.
“Hey,” he said softly. “How are you doing?”
Sal slowly lifted her head and blinked rapidly, almost as if she was waking up. Her eyes were red from crying but she seemed calm now, almost tranquil. She blinked a final time, then her attention snapped into place. She treated Dash to a dazzling smile, though one tinged with sadness. Dash couldn’t help but smile back.
“Better,” she replied. “Finding Shola had died was hard, but I realised it doesn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t?”
Dash was cautious now. This wasn’t the reaction he’d expected. He’d seen enough people affected by traumatic events to know he had to step carefully.
“No
