Counter Measures - Part 2

Mrs Felder seemed to see through him, for she shook her head. "You're too hard on yourself, Beam. It's going to wear you down. Nila and I both saw the marks on your back. You were still bleeding when we found you. Just what have you been fighting to end up like that?"

He opened his mouth to apologise once again, but Mrs Felder held up her hand to stop him.

"No no, I'm not criticising you. I will tell you to stop doing such dangerous things – but I wonder if that's more for my own heart, than yours..? I know how much you're attempting to take on. Nila told me. You're taking risks that a boy your age shouldn't have to take, and you're attempting to protect the village on top of that, and find Stephanie too… It's really too much for a boy your age," she said, a mournful expression on her face.