The Hole Inside

AARYN

The same thing happened that had happened for him the night before. He'd been distracted and engaged—tired, but otherwise fine—when they were all together and everything was being discussed.

But as soon as they split off from Gar and were alone, walking down the trail towards the cave, Aaryn's mind turned back to his own home, his mother, his grief.

He felt it like a wet, heavy blanket, suddenly weighing down his shoulders and wrapping around his mouth until it was hard to breathe, let alone speak.

Every step closer to the cave pressed heavier on him, until his feet were dragging.

Elreth, lost in her own thoughts, didn't seem to notice until they actually reached the cave. When she stopped to lock the door behind them she turned back to him with a wicked grin on her face that fell away as soon as she saw his face.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Are you okay?" she asked hesitantly, stepping forward to put her arms around his neck.