The outpost was silent, save for the faint crackling of the small fire Owen had managed to start. The golden light of morning filtered through the broken stone walls, but the warmth did little to ease the weight pressing on Selina’s chest.
Kiera was still feverish. Her breaths came in shallow, uneven gasps, her skin pale and clammy beneath the makeshift bandages. Owen sat beside her, his jaw tight, hands clenched into fists. The blood-stained cloth wrapped around Kiera’s torso was a stark reminder that time was running out.
“We need real medicine,” Owen muttered, breaking the tense silence. “She won’t last another day like this.”
Selina exhaled sharply. She knew he was right. The supplies they had were barely enough to keep Kiera stable. They had stopped the bleeding, but without proper
