I might have gone on that way forever but they wouldn't let me. On the morning of the sixth day I woke up to find Alora beside me, but for once she wasn't sleeping. Her clear green eyes were looking straight into mine and I knew that she had been waiting patiently for me to wake up. Her lips lifted in a smile when she saw me looking back at her, but I could tell it was more for show than because she really felt the urge to smile.

"Hi," she said softly.