NOEL
I sat there, trying to keep my breathing even, though my chest felt tight and my hands wouldn't stop shaking. River's voice was the first one I registered, low and filled with guilt. "Noel, I'm so sorry. We should've been there earlier. I should've been there earlier." Their voices cracked, and when I looked up, I could see the raw regret in their eyes. "I should've stopped them before they even got close."
There was something so painful about the way they said it, like they had failed at something irreparable. Roman and Rain were right beside them, looking equally torn apart, and then Roman exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair before speaking. "They touched you. Even if it was for just a second, they shouldn't have. We failed you, Noel." Rain nodded beside him, looking
