The pitter patter of ambient rain filled my ears as I blinked blearily. Pain immediately blinded my nerves and I attempted to grunt, but ended up coughing up blood. My throat felt like it was on fire and my eyes stung. I was wearing clothes that weren’t mine, a gray shirt and loose pants.

Hesna rose slowly, blinking to look at me and finding me awake. She hugged my neck immediately.

“Lupus!” Hesna cried.

Her warm hands seemed colder than usual as I stared at her face. Tears pooled in her eyes and her lips quivered as she hugged me. I didn’t understand what she was doing though. Wasn’t I just hurting her? Why would someone forgive me so easily?

The look of hurt crossed Hesna’s face as I managed to move my arm and push her away with my half-bandaged hands. Burns lined my muscles and charred brown skin crisscrossed across my elbow.

“Lupus, you should rest,” Hesna grabbed my hand, “Mom said your throat was burned, so she made a herbal broth that could heal it.”

I flinched as Hesna pointed at an ominous-looking dark green soup that reeked of plant roots. She smiled and handed the bowl of broth to me. I swallowed gingerly and downed the whole mixture in one gulp. Miraculously, my throat relaxed and the pain ceased.

“Can you speak now?” Hesna asked.

I nodded, “Yeah.”

“Then can you tell me?” Hesna inquired, eyes glittering curiously.

I looked away at the window, “Tell you what?”

“Why you were starting that fire and burning yourself, and why Mister Zanharu wasn’t there.” Hesna crossed her arms.

I shifted, “Well, Master’s dead now.”

Hesna stared as if struck by a bolt of lightning, “What?”

I glanced at my fingernails. They were burnt, almost to a crisp. I couldn’t help but think about the one time Master caught a wild boar and attempted to grill it. The meat was burnt until there was nothing but scorched meat and bones.

“Yeah. He’s been sick for a long time.” I replied after a lengthy silence.

Hesna looked sick, “Why didn’t he tell my parents?"