"Theodore?" Eiravyne whispered.
She rushed to the doorway of the room next to hers, and there he was, her little brother, sitting on the edge of the bed.
His cheeks were puffy, eyes red and swollen, the telltale marks of too many tears.
His small hands fidgeted nervously in his lap, and he glanced up at her with wide, terrified eyes.
Eiravyne's chest ached at the sight. She knelt beside him, voice soft and trembling, careful not to startle him further.
"Oh, Theodore… it's okay, promise ..promise. You're safe now," she murmured, reaching out slowly to brush a stray lock of hair from his damp face.
She gently wiped the last few tears from his cheeks, her fingers lingering a moment longer on his soft skin, as if trying to erase the fear that still clung to him.
"Why are you here, Eiravyne… why?" he asked.
Eiravyne looked away for a moment, swallowing past the tightness in her throat.
Then she looked back at him, really looked at him, and said quietly,
"I live here."
