Chapter 289: Desertion Part 2

My eyes hurt.

They've been staring at the ceiling since I was brought in here. It must be hours now. Everyone else fell asleep some time ago, but I can't will myself to. I want to. I want to fall into the same escape the others have found, but it won't come. Maybe for me, sleep is too good a release.

I glance down at my wrist.

Bare.

I don't even remember losing my Callix. It could've fallen off any time after leaving Arosin. I try to think back to it, pinpointing the moment I lost Reid's sacred memento to me. Maybe if I'd cared more I would've at least noticed it missing. But I didn't. I didn't realize it until only a little while ago, when I grew dizzy from staring at the ceiling and needed a break for my eyes. Normally I find comfort in brushing the smooth pink and red petals, but when I reached for it, I discovered my wrist was bare and my heart broke anew again.

Reid stirs beside me.