Cassie rushed to Nessa, throwing her arms around her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she clung tightly to Nessa, trembling as she spoke. "Nessa, I'm so sorry! I was so worried! I should have listened to you! I…"
Nessa's body stiffened instantly as pain rippled through her. Her face paled as she steadied herself, allowing a shaky smile to pull at the corners of her lips.
"Cassie... hey, it's okay. You're... squeezing too hard." She said, as her voice strained with every word.
She gave a weak chuckle, that came out like a strained, shallow exhale as Cassie pulled back. Nessa's hand instinctively shot to her side, her fingers trembling as they pressed against her clothes, now darkened with blood.
