Alex’s POV
The cave's silence was oppressive. Long since the sound of the fire's crackle disappeared from the background, Samantha's weak breathing's consistent rhythm dominated the room. I gazed into the dwindling embers, my mind running over the last few days like a broken record. The sense that we were headed toward the unavoidable—losing her—kept me from letting go.
Lena sat nearby, her face tight with concern and her eyes flickering toward Samantha sometimes. She had not spoken much during the last hour, but I could sense her shame and frustration hovering over both of us. It reflected what I was experiencing.
"How's she doing?," In a quiet voice, I asked.
Lena turned to peek at Samantha then back at me. "The slowing down of the hemorrhage She still is not waking, though. Her voic
