15. Cherish

I could have cried, being out in the fresh air was amazing after so many weeks of corridors and the tiny window in his room. I didn’t want to let go of his hand though, just because he had finished guiding me didn’t mean I wanted him to break his hold. Instead I squeezed it tighter, whispering “thank you, I really needed this.”

He led me towards the oval four-hundred metre race track and we started slowly walking around. There was even the odd bird chirping, I almost felt free if I squinted and looked past all the barbed wire and buildings surrounding us..

“What happened today?” Ivan asked carefully, keeping his face forward.

I told him all about Genevieve and Martha, how I had helped carry her to the recovery ward. I stared up at him while I spoke, watching his jaw clench and work as I described the pitiful state she had been left in.

“Do you think she will live?”

“Yes, but only because Martha has promised to take her to watch his fight so that she might cheer his death.”

“Hmm