Chapter 6

Someone shouted, "She's awake. The girl's awake."

And then my father's voice, full of relief and hope, "It worked. The prayers worked. Monica, you're not mad at Summer anymore, are you?"

Mira's voice chimed in excitedly, "Summer's sins are forgiven. The gods aren't punishing her anymore!"

A cold emptiness crept into my chest, and I wished I could slip back into that darkness and just sleep for eternity.

The light here was too harsh, and my mother wasn't here with me.

She was in the dark, and that's where I wanted to be.

After returning home, I hid the pouch…