Willow.
I stared at the mirror Elder Toma insisted I have. It wasn’t large just some round brass framed thing probably older than my entire bloodline but she hung it on a nail above the small stool in the corner and declared it necessary for “wound monitoring.” Her words not mine.
I told her I could do it myself, wrap my wounds and clean it and all that. I wasn’t trying to be rude, I just couldn’t stand the way her eyes softened like she was sorry for me. I hated feeling like I needed help. I’ve done everything myself my whole f*****g life and I didn’t want to start falling apart now.
I leaned close to the mirror squinting at the bandage. It itched so I carefully unwrapped the layers wincing just once when the last bit clung to the dried blood at the edge. The skin was raw but cleaner,
