Chapter 123 Shattered Alliances

• Daniel’s POV
• Although I never imagined I would experience both relief and anxiety at once, when we return to camp that is exactly what is building inside of me. Every step weighs me; I can still feel the betrayal stinging. The face of our old friend stays with me, particularly the one he showed us before he disappeared into the darkness. I wonder if that flutter of uncertainty we observed meant he regretted it or if he was simply trying our endurance.
• The fire we left blazing when we arrived at the camp is now only a feeble glow, hardly lighting the strain on everyone's face. Lena's stare on me makes me turn, and when I turn she is staring with the same intensity as if she could see straight through the barriers I keep attempting to surround myself with.