Phoenix Maplewood Here I dreamt I was an architect

He tried to smile. Of course, he felt like he should after accepting her expression of gratitude, but the corners of his mouth barely mustered a subtle twist. An exhausted sigh passed his lips and Reek allowed his body to go limp as he laid himself further into Scarlett's side. While her condolences wouldn't bring Pantaleimon back from the dead, Reek was grateful for the compassion that she showed him. A little bit of warmth went a long way.

Her suggestion that Pantleimon's suffering had finally ended calmed Reek's aching heart, but the guilt he felt did not diminish. "But, if I would'a gotten there thooner, I could have helped him." If he could have treated the fever before his poor soul burnt out, perhaps his friend would still be around. The weight of this thought threatened to crush Reek with guilt.