“Mum needs her meds. Can you get them sweetheart?” he asked her.
She bit her lip and looked at me again, before ducking into the bathroom. She came out with a large needle ready to go.
I couldn’t help it, I flinched.
Another thud against the door made me jump.
My gaze snapped back to it.
Andre had one hand clamped around the handle, knuckles white, like he was holding the door shut by will alone.
Mia slipped up beside him and pressed a syringe into his palm.
“I’ll just be a sec,” he said, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Then he turned and slipped back into the room, shutting the door hard behind him.
“Can I help?” I asked, the words following him before I could stop myself.
“No!” he snapped from the other side. Then, softer, rushed. “I’ve got it. Thank you. Mia will get you some food.”
The door clicked.
Mia tugged on my arm.
I let her pull me away, step by careful step. She still hadn’t said a word.
She led me to a chair and pushed gently until I sat. Then she padded straight into the kitchen and came back with a small piece of dry bread.
“No. I don’t need to—”
She shoved it into my hand and made an exaggerated eating motion, brows knitting in stubborn insistence.
I stopped arguing.
The bread was stale, but edible. I felt horrible, because this family didn’t appear to have much.
I chewed slowly.
When Andre finally emerged from the room, he looked far too tired for someone his age.
He dropped into the chair beside me and rubbed his face with both hands.
“How long has she been sick?” I asked gently.
“Just a few days,” he said quickly. Too quickly. “But I think she’s getting better.”
I forced a smile. “I’m glad. And… thank you. I don’t mean to add to everything you’re dealing with.”
Andre smiled back, soft and genuine this time. “If I hadn’t helped you, my mum would’ve tanned my hide.” His eyes flicked toward the closed door. “She’s… pretty awesome.”
Another bang echoed down the hall.
I kept my voice steady. “Where’s your dad?”
“He left a couple of days ago to get help.” Andre hesitated. “But he got called in.”
“Called in?”
“To the command. He’s a soldier.”
