-Ronan Hale:
The water was cold, but I didn't care.
I let myself sink lower, my shoulders disappearing beneath the surface as I exhaled a slow breath. The lake was still, the only ripples caused by my movement. It smelled fresh—earthy, untouched. A sharp contrast to the blood and filth I'd been covered in earlier.
I hadn't realized how much I needed this.
Every muscle in my body was aching, but at least I wasn't sticky with dried blood anymore. The fight from earlier had left me a mess—physically and mentally. But standing in the water now, letting it wash over me, I felt some of the tension finally start to ease.
I ran a hand through my wet hair, letting out a slow breath. Focus on this. The water. The relief. Not the weight pressing in my chest. Not the words that had slipped out.
You. My friend.
I clenched my jaw. Idiot.
