Chapter 111

HAZEL

I wake up to the sound of frantic footsteps and hushed whispers outside my door. Something is wrong. I can feel it in the air. I sit up in bed, my heart pounding. Arnold and Ethan are already up, speaking in low voices by the window.

“What’s going on?” I ask, my voice still groggy from sleep.

Arnold turns to me, his face serious.

“There’s a disease outbreak, Hazel. People are getting sick.”

My heart sinks. “How bad is it? And overnight too?”

Ethan steps forward, his eyes filled with worry. “It’s spreading quickly. We’ve already lost a few people. The healers are doing everything they can, but they’re overwhelmed.”

I feel a wave of fear wash over me. “What can we do?”

Arnold walks over and takes my hand.

“For now, you need to stay inside. We can’t risk you getting sick too.”

I nod, understanding their concern but feeling helpless.

“What about you two? You’re going to be out there with the people, aren’t you?”

Ethan smiles reassuringly. “We’ll be careful. We