Page 146 of Bound By Darkness

“Seriously? You still care about those dumb points?”

Moria placed a hand over her heart. “Why are you even asking? I worked hard for years to win every single time. I’m offended you’d even suggest they don’t matter.”

“Didn’t realize it was a sore subject,” I said as a bit of lightness returned to me. She was still amazing at cheering me up when I needed it the most.

“What about you?”

Moria glanced at me. “What do you mean?”

“How have you been? You’ve been focusing on me, but I know you’ve also suffered countless times since the prison.”

“You don’t even know,” she muttered.

“Then tell me,” I said, my eyes turning to hers. “I could use the distraction, and I’m curious what you’ve been up to all this time.”

Moria rolled her eyes. “Not much. I was stuck in Galar for a while.”

“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I know it had to have been rough.”

Moria bit her lip. “I met a girl and we became close for the time I was there. I wouldn’t have survived without her.”

“Is she still there?”

Moria shook her head. “She died protecting me.”

“Oh… Oh Moria, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” Griefstruck my heart for my friend as she glanced to the side, her eyes dimming.

“It’s okay,” she said meekly. “She helped me to survive and I plan on repaying her by living. By helping people like her whose lives were stolen.”

“What happened to you? Have you grown a backbone?”

Moria shoved me. “Shut up.”

“What? I’m happy for you,” I said. “I’m glad you’re finally starting to stick up for yourself.”

Moria rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth gave her away as they lifted.

“What else?”

Moria shrugged. “After Galar, I winded up here at camp helping Gia in the kitchen.”

I choked. “You… in akitchen?”

“Yes. I was her best helper too, thank you very much.”

“Lies,” I teased.

“Ask her yourself.”

“I will,” I said in challenge.

Moria simply shifted, her shoulders rising as she continued to talk about her mundane life here at the Hideaway until Iyanna sent her on the mission with Naexi.

“How… was that?” I asked, my face lingering on the burning wood.

“A nightmare. She even puked on my shoes.”

“Gross.”

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