Briar
"Mia!" I cried, taking an involuntary step forward before Eric's outstretched arm stopped me.
Mia looked up at the sound of my voice, and I had to stifle a gasp. Her face was a mess of bruises, one eye swollen shut and already turning an ugly purple. Blood trickled from a cut on her lip, and she seemed to be having trouble standing. Her clothes were torn and dirty, and I could see more bruises peeking out from under her shirt.
"Oh god, Mia, are you okay?" I asked, my voice cracking with concern. I tried to move towards her again, but Eric's grip on my arm tightened painfully.
Despite her condition, Mia managed a weak smile. It looked more like a grimace, fresh blood welling up from her split lip. "I've had worse," she croaked, her voice raspy and painful-sounding. "Don't worry ab
