Chapter 13 : Just Say You're Welcome

Theodora's POV

Puffing on a joint, I tried to quell my flashbacks. I was only in my sports bra, weaving stitches through my arm. A rogue tear slipped down my cheek, but I used a bloodied hand to wipe it away quickly.

My chin wouldn't stop quivering as I inhaled deeply, releasing a bout of smoke to soothe my torment. My goal wasn't to get high. In fact, I preferred the sensation of being drunk to the sensation of being high, but I smoked to silence the voice.

The intrusive thoughts about how I almost got my crew killed. How I got out this time, but my luck was running out. I'd lose my crew just like I lost my platoon back on the Hermes Cluster. All except for Benji and Ellie.

My hands shook, my arm aching from my crude stitches. I slapped a bandage over it, letting the pain wash over me. It anchored me into the present, so I wouldn't get sucked back down onto that Cluster with bombs falling around us.

Panicked eyes stared up at me as I outstretched my hand, trying to pull them