Alexa woke up with throbbing pain all over her body. Her bones felt like they were melting, and every muscle screamed, especially her stomach.

When she opened her eyes, she saw nothing but the dark, starless sky. The small stones on her back bit into her skin while the cold night air made her tremble.

She tried to get up, but immediately fell as her vision spun.

A pair of small, soft hands steadied her. They helped her sit properly, and once the pain in her mind temporarily ...