Atlas took the girl to the bathroom. Cleaned her gently.
She was still shaking. Still crying softly.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry."
She didn't respond. Just stared at nothing.
He dressed her. Led her back to her room.
"Lie down," he said.
She lay down.
He covered her. Sat beside the bed.
"You did well today," he said quietly. "I know it hurt. I know it was—I know. But you didn't break. You're stronger than the trauma. Stronger than what he did to you."
The girl's eyes closed. Tears still leaking out.
"I serve Dante," she whispered. Automatic. Her anchor in a different way.
"Yeah," Atlas said. Voice hollow. "You do."
He stayed with her until she fell asleep. Exhausted from the ordeal.
Then went to his own room. Sat on the bed. Stared at his hands.
Hands that had a
