BODIEI’m in the middle of a discussion with the leader of the patrol troops when my eyes land on Helda.

Her eyes find me almost immediately.

Our gazes lock briefly before I return my gaze to the man in front of me.

I fight against the urge to look back at her and force my eyes to remain focused on the man talking.

My head is, however, elsewhere, and my ears are completely blocked to what he's saying.

I watch his mouth move without hearing a word.

My mind is lost in thought, thinking ...