Rosewater Oasis Insomniac

suddenly, she grabs nokht by the face, forcing him to look at her. her face is stern, no pity to be found. she would never pity him.

you’ll be stronger, she says. i’ll make sure of it. a vow. now, she feels like she cannot leave. not until she has helped this boy.

she held his gaze a second longer before letting go. then, she leans her head down to nudge at his tail, moving it aside with her nose. exposing the leg he tried to hide.

this does not make you weak, her voice is tense. it makes you stronger. you are strong because you endure.

then, softer but no less firm—

if you wear it like a shield, no one can use it to hurt you.