*Ember*

I sat beside Rowena’s bed, holding her hand and occasionally getting up to fuss with her pillows. The hospital room was cold, and too white with its white sheets, white walls, and white decor. I was already on edge and the lack of color was doing nothing for my nerves.

Rowena kept trying to get me to stop my hovering, encouraging me to go to the cafeteria after we’d been there over eight hours, but I wouldn’t budge. I couldn’t think about food. ...