Chapter 3: The Weight of Regret

For six long weeks, Aleena’s heart had been a battlefield. Moments of happiness were fragile, shattered the instant her mind replayed the scene at the library entrance. The memory was a dark cloud, blotting out any light, leaving her wrapped in a heavy cloak of regret.

After another night spent wrestling with her thoughts, she woke with a determined purpose. She would visit her best friend, Sakna. She needed advice, a plan of action for when school resumed. She needed to do something.

A shower and a simple breakfast later, she dressed in. . .