Page 5 of Garden of Ashes & Hope

I curse under my breath. This is exactly the kind of delay we can't afford. "Right," I say, making a quick decision. "We need to find shelter and let that ankle rest. But we can't stay here in the open."

Without waiting for her response, I scoop Eve up in my arms, ignoring her startled gasp. "Hold onto that creature of yours," I instruct. "And keep your eyes peeled for any suitable shelter."

As I carry Eve through the wasteland, I can feel her tension gradually ease. Despite my earlier harshness, she seems to trust that I'll keep her safe. It's a responsibility I'm not sure I want, but one I can't bring myself to abandon.

After what feels like hours, we come across an old, crumbling building. It’s dilapidated but still standing, offering a potential refuge for the night.

"This'll have to do," I mutter, carefully setting Eve down near the entrance. "Stay here while I check it out."

I do a thorough sweep of the building, checking for any signs of recent occupation or structural weaknesses. Satisfied that it's as safe as we're likely to find, I return to Eve.

"It's clear," I announce. "Let's get you inside and take a look at that ankle."

Once we're settled inside, I examine Eve's injury. It's swollen but doesn't appear to be broken. "You're lucky," I tell her. "It's just a sprain. But you need to stay off it for a day or two."

Eve nods, wincing as I wrap her ankle with a strip of cloth from my pack. "Thank you," she says softly. "For helping me. And for... for not making me leave Vincent behind."

I grunt in acknowledgment, uncomfortable with her gratitude. "Don't thank me yet. We still have a long way to go, and this little setback isn't going to make things any easier."

As night falls, I take up position near the entrance, preparing for the first watch. Eve curls up in a corner, Vincent nestled against her chest.

"Get some sleep," I tell her. "We'll head out at first light."

She nods, her eyes already heavy with exhaustion. "Mordakus?" she murmurs, half-asleep.

"What?"

"I'm glad you found me. Even if I'm your prisoner."

Her words catch me off guard, stirring emotions I've long suppressed. I watch as she drifts off to sleep, her face peaceful despite the harsh realities of our situation.

As the night wears on, I find my thoughts drifting to the demon warband I know is out there somewhere. The last reports I'd heard placed them heading in this direction. It's only a matter of time before our paths cross if we don’t keep moving.

I look over at Eve's sleeping form, a frown creasing my brow. She's so naive, so unprepared for the brutalities of this world. Part of me admires her determination, her ability to hold onto hope in the face of overwhelming odds.

But another part knows that such innocence is a luxury we can't afford.

As the first hints of dawn appear on the horizon, I make a decision. Starting today, I'm going to toughen her up. If she's going to survive out here - if we're going to survive - she needs to learn how to defend herself, how to make the hard choices.

It won't be easy, and she'll probably hate me for it. But better she hate me and live than cling to her innocence and die.

5

EVE

The world outside my compound is more terrifying than I ever imagined. Every shadow seems to hide a potential threat, every sound a harbinger of danger. My heart races constantly, and I find myself clutching Vincent closer with each step we take.

Mordakus moves with a confidence I envy, seeming to know exactly where he's going even though everything looks the same to me - just endless stretches of rubble and ruin.

I wish I was as strong as him.

If I was that tall and that strong, I would only do good.

"Keep up," he barks over his shoulder, his voice gruff and impatient. I quicken my pace, wincing as my still-tender ankle protests.

"I'm trying," I mutter, more to myself than to him. Vincent mews softly, as if in encouragement, and I manage a small smile. At least I'm not completely alone in this.

Memories of my parents give me pause as we make our way through the ruins of a once bustling village. Even the smallest things remind me of them, like the flower growing in bundles outside of a destroyed home.

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