The Sentinels Every word I say is kindling

The question caught Kirain off guard. Part of her didn’t want to burden Ghost with the heaviness clawing at her chest, but the guilt was relentless, chewing at her resolve.

I failed Sam… Her voice was so quiet, barely more than a breath. I should have done better. I should have kept him safe. Look at him now…
The words fell like stones, each one adding to the crushing weight on her shoulders. She couldn’t bring herself to say more. Instead, she lowered her gaze, focusing on the rough scrape of dirt and stone beneath her paw, grounding herself in the pain she could not run from.