𝐼𝑁𝑁𝑂𝐶𝐸𝑁𝐶𝐸 𝐿𝑂𝑆𝑇 // 𝐴. 𝐷𝐸 𝑅𝑈𝑁𝐸

𝑋𝐼𝑉

| XIV. The Journey Ahead |

—

Marion was no stranger to pain. She knew it every winter when it crawled into her lungs, leaving her shivering and breathless. She knew it during the chicken incident, and she knew it now more than ever. She knew it by the sting in her hands, and the ache in her ankle that had begun to creep up her leg.

She had ignored the bite, ignored the pain and continued on. It felt like another heart had grown in her leg, pulsing with every step she took.

In shorter terms, she was extremely uncomfortable. Marion trailed just a few steps behind Amicia and Hugo, trying not to limp and make it obvious that something was bothering her. She was not doing a very good job, seeing as Amicia had begun to notice how she lagged behind.

The girl took in a deep breath, in and out.

In and out.

She felt like a fool. How could she protect Amicia and Hugo when she could barely protect herself? For Christ's sake, she couldn't even pick up a damn torch!

"Marion, are you alright?" Amicia asked, "You're limping..."

Marion looked over to Amicia, and blinked a few times as she processed her words.

"I, uh... I think I twisted it when Hugo and I were running from the rats." Marion explained, knowing damn well she pulled that answer straight out her–

"Oh... well, maybe Laurentius can look at it later, along with your hands." The brunette responded, and Marion smiled.

"Maybe..." She mumbled, before averting her eyes down to her hands.

They had most definitely seen better days... the burns on the appendages were a violent red color, spanning across the middle of her palm. some areas were slightly blackened and very numb. The burn's had begun to feel tight, and a strange yellow pus had begun to seep out of certain corners.

"Hell, at this rate I doubt I'll ever use a throwing knife again." Marion frowned, she felt like a part of herself had been stripped away– she didn't feel like much of a protector anymore.

Hugo cocked his head to the side, letting go of Amicia's hand to fall into step next to Marion. He peered up at her hands, and made a face.

"But Laurentius is a doctor, can't he fix you?" He asked, and Marion smiled.

"Some things even doctors can't fix." She said, and gently brushed his cheek with the back of her hand.

"Oh." Hugo muttered, before latching onto her tunic.

Marion let a small smile grow on her face, the little boy was very adorable. She rested her arm on his shoulder, keeping him close. They had quite the journey ahead of them.

—
A/n

Hey Dawgz what's up 🙋‍♀️

This is just a filler chapter, I can't let y'all go too long without getting at least a little snack. Anywayyayayastsysy I have the chapter that I was going to post this one with like a quarter done— let's hope I finish it soon 😭 this is probably the shortest chapter in the entire book, it's only 400 something words...

It's okay tho, y'all will get a nutritious meal soon 🙏🙏