(kealen)
It started as a backache.
That was the thing about it — there was no dramatic moment, no sudden clear signal. Just a low, persistent ache across my lower back that I'd been ignoring since morning because I'd been ignoring a lot of things my body said lately in the interest of getting through the day's work.
Sora noticed before I admitted it.
We were in the middle of reviewing the eastern border patrol schedule when she stopped mid-sentence and looked at me.
"How long has that been happening?" she asked.
"What?"
"You've been pressing your hand against your back for the last twenty minutes."
I moved my hand away from my back. I hadn't realized I'd been doing it.
"It's fine," I said.
"How long?" she asked again.
I looked at the window. "Since this morning."
Sora put the p
