~HAZEL~

"Hazel?" Ariel's voice cuts through the quiet, forcing me to turn around and face them. Ashton stands nearby, his arms wrapped protectively around her waist, leaning in slightly as if keeping her close. He avoids looking my way completely, maintaining a strict focus on the ground. He continues to pretend as though I didn't exist, his posture stiff and unreadable. He has been this way since I found him on the ground after he defeated the beast.

I do not blame him for his actions. ...