After we returned to Velthya's house, the once peaceful atmosphere shifted dramatically. As soon as the door closed and we took off our shoes, she turned around with her hands on her hips, wearing an expression I'd never seen before intimidating.
"You think just saying sorry makes everything better, huh?" she snapped, her voice cracking through the air like a whip. "I didn't sleep all night, Sylvia! Not a wink! And it was all because you vanished without a word!"
I lowered my head without saying a word. There was no excuse I could offer that would ease her anger. I stood there at the entrance, like a child caught stealing cookies from the kitchen.
"I know you can take care of yourself. I know you're strong. But that doesn't mean you get to disappear like a shadow! What am I to you, huh? A doll you leave behind when you're bored?!"
One hour.
