Page 47 of Unmasked Prophecy

They push the flap open, and I step inside, my heart in my throat.

The smell of sickness and dirt hits me first, and I reel back, trying not to let it show. The tent is dim, and a few people lay in the sick bays, and then I see her. Lily. My heart breaks. She’s curled up on a thin mattress, her skin pale and her small body shaking with each breath.

"Lily," I whisper, rushing over and coming to a stop beside her, reaching out and putting my hand on her clammy cheek.

It kills me to see her like this.

I can’t help but blame myself.

Maybe I should have just come back...

Her eyes flutter open, and even in the low light, I see how hollow they are. "Nia?" she croaks.

"It’s me," I force a smile to my face, keeping the gun down by my side so she can’t see it. "I’m here. You’re going to be okay. I’ll make sure you get some medicine."

"Are you going to leave again?"

It kills me to know that my absence is causing this kind of pain.

"Listen to me, honey," I say, leaning down so only she can hear me. "I’m going to come back, and when I do, I’m going to take you from here and we are going to live in a great house together, you can go to school, make friends and we will be happy. I promise."

Her little eyes widen. "I’ll have my own room and toys?"

"Everything you could ever imagine. I just need you to be strong for me now. Keep fighting, honey. I promise you I’m going to get us out of here."

She frowns. "I feel really sick."

"I know, and we’re going to get something for that right now."

I turn and face my father, my voice hardening. "Get her what she needs. Now."

Nobody moves.

I pull the gun, cocking it. "I’m waiting."

He nods sharply, signaling to Cyrus. "Do it. Antibiotics, painkillers, a drip."

Cyrus hesitates, his eyes flicking to me, then back to my father. He nods, turning to leave, and I see the anger in his face. The frustration. He doesn’t want to do it, he’s hoping something will happen so he can stay right here.

Over my dead body.

"Move it," I hiss. "I’m not going to ask again."

Cyrus grits his teeth, but he leaves, and I know he’s going to do it.

I turn back to Lily, brushing damp hair from her eyes, trying to keep my hands steady.

"They’re going to get you medicine and you’re going to feel so much better. I promise."

My father speaks from behind me. "She’s weak. But it’s not her body I’m worried about. It’s her soul. She’s suffering because of you, Nia. Your betrayal. You can fix this, you know that. You can stop her pain."

I turn and glare at him. "Your delusion is terrifying. You’re the reason she is like this, because you refuse to give her treatment."

"She is weak. It is God’s will. If He wanted her to live, she would."

I want to reach over and put this gun to his head, pulling the trigger. I’ve never wanted anything more in my life. But I refuse to give in to him. Right now, I just want to make sure Lily gets what she needs.

"Well, she won’t be your problem when I take her out of here. I want your word she will get what she needs every single day."

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