08-27-2025, 10:35 PM
Cadence got her to a room and Marta’s breathing quickened. Cadence wiped away tears and wrapped her in a hug. ”Breathe, breathe. Five things you can see…”
Marta knew the technique and went through it quickly enough. She got some encouraging smiles and hugs from Cadence. Marta was glad she was here. Her breathing was calmer, but still rapid when Hayden came in the door and got to her level. He asked what happened. Thinking of Nox in there fed the guilt again and her own fear for her friend. She hoped Mattias was still praying.
Marta bit back some sobs as the tears started again. She grabbed Cadence’s hand. ”You need me to talk for you?” Cadence asked, her voice sweet. Marta shook her head.
Marta focused on the scent of vanilla and roses that the woman wore. It helped her get enough breath to talk. ”Nox…he…” she pointed to the main hall. She felt Cadence squeeze her hand. ”Has his power again, but…but…it’s back too. Smells like pain, fear, hopeless, very sad.”
Marta buried her face in Cadence’s shoulder, not even able to say that it was partly her fault. That she had hurt her friend. The guilt was so strong. Cadence held her tight. Marta felt safe at least. ”I can calm her down. I have experience there. Right honey? We got this?”
Marta knew the last part was directed at her. She nodded as she cried.
Marta knew the technique and went through it quickly enough. She got some encouraging smiles and hugs from Cadence. Marta was glad she was here. Her breathing was calmer, but still rapid when Hayden came in the door and got to her level. He asked what happened. Thinking of Nox in there fed the guilt again and her own fear for her friend. She hoped Mattias was still praying.
Marta bit back some sobs as the tears started again. She grabbed Cadence’s hand. ”You need me to talk for you?” Cadence asked, her voice sweet. Marta shook her head.
Marta focused on the scent of vanilla and roses that the woman wore. It helped her get enough breath to talk. ”Nox…he…” she pointed to the main hall. She felt Cadence squeeze her hand. ”Has his power again, but…but…it’s back too. Smells like pain, fear, hopeless, very sad.”
Marta buried her face in Cadence’s shoulder, not even able to say that it was partly her fault. That she had hurt her friend. The guilt was so strong. Cadence held her tight. Marta felt safe at least. ”I can calm her down. I have experience there. Right honey? We got this?”
Marta knew the last part was directed at her. She nodded as she cried.