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I was tired of this room. I kept the fire going in the hearth. I poked at the ashes and stared at the flames.

There was a shelf holding a chipped basin and a folded length of linen for washing up. There were only so many times I could wash my hands and keep it interesting, I tried.

The pisspot reeked.

The candle from last night burned down to a stub and was unlit now, the wax pooled and hardened on the table. I picked at it for a bit, then worried about the mess.

I wished I had a broom.

The walls, bare stone throughout, had one small carved niche near the door with a smudge of soot on the ceiling. I dragged my finger through it. The wipers on the bus go swish swish… Damn it. I regretted that too, making that mark made me feel a little like a prisoner: day one.

But also, that was depressing, only one day so far. Or had it been two, should I be making marks on the wall to keep track?

And when would Torin get better?

I pressed the cool compress to his face. I held a cup to his lips and urged him to drink. All the while, wondering...

Would he?

8

ALEXANDRIA

1308 - SECOND DAY OF THE THREE DAY SLUMBER SUCKS

Later that day, I realized Torin was sweating. I knelt beside the bed and nudged his shoulder. “How are you feeling?”

He nodded, his eyes remained closed.

“I insist on you taking your antibiotics.” I opened the packet with my teeth, and poured the pill onto my hand. “One now… put it on your tongue, wash it down with this…”

I looked around, there was nothing to drink in the room. Damn it.

He opened one eye, plucked the pill from my palm, and put it on his tongue.

I frowned. “That’s not right, are you swallowing it?”

He nodded.

“Show me.” I felt like an ass.

He opened his mouth, barely. I looked in. “If you die of an infection because you let it dissolve in your mouth I will be so mad.”

“I winna die, tis just… I hae tae sleep.”

“Are you getting better? I can’t decide what to do — how will Max find us?”

He was quiet.

I said, “Torin, I’m worried, should I be going for help? You haven’t urinated since yesterday, you’re just sleeping. What if there’s someone looking for us — should I go back to the Extraction Point? I can probably find it…”

He shook his head and mumbled, “Nae… need rest…”

“I think you need food and drink, I’m getting scared. I can’t carry you away from here. I’ve got nothing to get you away. If something…”

My voice wavered, I was going to cry. I was so dependent on him and also needed to take care of him but didn’t know what to do⁠—

I heard horses outside and men calling.