Broken by One, Desired by All
I’d barely taken three steps down the corridor when a familiar voice called out, “Zane!”
I turned, and there was Charlie… his usual easy grin plastered across his face, his brown hair slightly disheveled, and a stack of books balanced precariously under one arm. For the first time in days, I felt something stir in me that wasn’t anger, suspicion, or dread.
“Charlie…” I managed, my voice low but warmer than I expected.
He jogged the last few steps to me, his books nearly toppling. “Man, I heard about what happened during the ritual. Everyone’s been whispering about it. Are you…” His grin faltered as his eyes searched me carefully. “Are you okay? Really?”