The Sentinels Make the clock reverse

It took several moments for Kirain to register that someone was there, let alone speaking to her.

Huh?

Her dulled silver eyes lifted slowly, landing on the stranger. Ah… hello.

Silence lingered as her mind caught up, thoughts sluggish from exhaustion and ache. Then, quietly: Gifts from friends… meant for brighter futures. Funny, isn’t it?

A faint, bitter smile flickered across her face before fading. Her ears pinned back as she remained motionless, curled where she lay by the river’s edge.

I—uh… I’m Kirain. Am I trespassing? Her voice softened. I can leave, if I am.

She couldn’t, not truly. But she wasn’t looking to cause trouble. She was just so tired. So achingly tired, in a way that no amount of rest could mend.