When Valeria arrived dormitory that night, she found Irene awake. When she asked why she wasn't sleeping, Irene told her that Lucas had come.
"I'm scared, Valeria," Irene said quietly while standing by the window. "We were just girls struggling to take the university exams next year; look at what we're going through now."
Valeria was tending to her feet, which had been injured by things she stepped on in the forest. "I've already entered a path of no return, Irene, but please stay away from that man. For mercy's sake, don't let him influence you."
Irene looked out at the moonlight silently. In truth, she had already crossed that line...
"What are you going to do, then?"
Valeria wanted to leave the city and settle down with her mother. "Honestly, I don't know anything. I just..." She l
