Mina’s Recovery

Mina blinked against the afternoon sun filtering through the woven canopy above her bed. The familiar scents of the village—herbs, woodsmoke, and the faint metallic tang of the healer’s tools—grounded her as she stirred. A sharp ache ran along her side, and when she tried to sit up, a steady hand pressed her back down.

“Don’t even think about it,” Lyra said, standing over her with a rare softness in her eyes.

Before Mina could respond, her parents entered the room, their faces lined with worry. Her mother knelt beside her, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

“Mina,” her mother whispered, her voice trembling. “You scared us so much.”

Her father stood stiffly at the foot of the bed, his arms crossed but his eyes glassy. “What were you thinking, running off like that?”

“I—” Mina hesitated, guilt flooding her. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone.”

Her mother glanced at Lyra, who gave her a small nod. “We’ve been worried about how much time you spend out there in the Waste,” her mother continued gently. “You’re so much like your father. Always curious, always pushing boundaries. But the Waste isn’t a place for children to explore alone.”

Mina’s father frowned but didn’t argue, his protective instincts clear. “We’ve talked about this, Mina. There are dangers out there you don’t understand yet.”

“I wasn’t alone,” Mina protested, her voice small. “I had the orb.”

“And that’s exactly the problem,” Lyra cut in. “Your bond with the orb is powerful, but neither of you fully understand it yet. It’s not just a toy or a friend—it’s something you both need to grow into responsibly.”

Her parents exchanged a glance, their expressions heavy with unspoken words. They had always tried to give Mina room to grow, but their busy lives often kept them from being as present as they wanted.

“You’ve got our attention now,” her mother said softly. “We’ll figure this out together. But for now, you need to rest.”

Mina swallowed hard, tears prickling her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Her father stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. “We’re just glad you’re okay.”