I worried about Elva all day, about her abilities and the dangers that those might bring. I was so distracted with my thoughts that I didn’t notice Elva was beginning to not feel well until she took my hand and I felt how clammy her palms were.
“Are you not feeling well, Elva?” I pressed the back of my hand to her forehead. She was burning up. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“You get sad,” Elva said.
She was such a considerate child, trying to protect me. But my whole heart broke, knowing she didn’t feel like she could depend on me.
“I love you, honey, but you have to tell me right away when you don’t feel good, okay?” I scooped her into my arms.
The day’s events had ended. We were on our way back to our room anyway. Now, carrying Elva, I rushed there as fast as I could.
Mark caught
