*Mary's POV*
I did not sleep in infirmary.
Esther gave me tea for pain, bitter tea, and put green paste on my cheek and shoulder and back where hand marks were. Bella sat on floor next to bed, holding my hand.
My grey dress was torn at sleeve, dirty with leaves. My river shoes lost in forest. My silver ear necklace lost too, somewhere in leaves where father pushed me.
I stared at white ceiling, listening.
I could hear Simeon and two guards in forest behind pack house, in that clearing where father beat me. Flashlights, footsteps, talking low.
"This footprint - Beta size, heavy boots," Simeon said.
"Beta Brent was here today for meeting," one guard said.
"Yes, but he left at noon, log book says he crossed border at 12:15 p.m.," Simeon said. "This footprint fresh, 1 hour ago."
They
