I bided my time till Michael went to sleep.

Not really deep.He no longer slept as deeply, but enough that his grip on my fingers eased and his breathing stopped. I carefully and slowly moved my legs out of the arm and covered him with the blanket. Even when he was sleeping, his forehead tightened. He seemed worn out.

and afraid.

Silently, I left the cabin.

Maya was waiting outside already, pacing the ground in tight circles with her arms folded. "You took too long."

I responded, ...