The camp settled into a routine as night fell, and I tried to find ways to make myself useful.

Tried being the key word.

Steve was gathering firewood, so I moved to help him, but he waved me off before I could even reach for a branch. "Dont worry, ive got it covered. You should rest."

"I can help," I insisted. "I'm not useless."

"I didn't say you were." He hefted an armload of wood like it weighed nothing. "But you've had a rough day. Sit down before you fall down."

I wanted to argue, but ...