"I would have preferred you had brought these things to my attention earlier, Kimberly," Ma'am Elena said, her tone both firm and understanding.
"But all the same, thank you. I'm sure we'll get to the root of this and overcome it." Her face softened, the tension in her eyes giving way to a look of hope.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am," I replied, guilt tugging at my voice. "I wasn't sure what was happening to me. It all felt... so unreal." My eyes dropped, reflecting the weight of my thoughts.
She sighed and shook her head gently. "Don't feel bad about it. You've been through a lot. Just be careful out there, and remember, we will get through this." She offered me a small, reassuring smile, then turned away to walk out of her chamber. I followed her quickly, not wanting to be left behind.
