Chapter 35. Letting Go

The moment the question left my mouth, Robin didn’t speak. His eyes just darted around frantically—searching. Searching for him.

For my friend.

Then, as he turned slightly to the side… I saw it. Him.

Julian.

He was lying on the grass just a few feet away. The ground beneath him was soaked in blood, and crimson still poured from a burn wound on his side, sickeningly visible. His hand—twisted in an unnatural position, it looked like it had taken the full impact of a fall. Like he had been shoved.

My heart dropped.

I ran.

Ran to him.

I dropped to my knees, eyes already welling with tears.

“No... no...” I whispered, over and over again, as I cradled his head gently in my lap.

His eyes fluttered open barely—and pain etched itself into every line of his face. Every tiny movement made him wince, and my heart shattered at the sight.

“Did we win?” he managed to choke out, trying—still trying to smile th