Four anxious faces were staring back at her.And one mildly disinterested one.Apparently, Violet’s “mishap” had even enticed Megan from her bedroom.“Look who’s back,” Chelsea said as she plopped herself onto the armrest of the threadbare couch Violet was lying on. Violet couldn’t help noticing that Chelsea’s voice had returned to its normal range—the Mike-free range—and was filled with concern.“How are you feeling?” Jay asked next, kneeling down in front of her so they were eye to eye.She felt better just seeing him there.Violet ran her fingers tentatively over the back of her neck and then gingerly touched her fingertips to her temples. There was no pain. It was gone now. All of it.All that remained was the lingering pull to go back into the woods.“I’m okay,” she insisted. And when he didn’t look like he believed her, she added, “Really. I feel fine now.”“I’ll get you some hot cocoa,” Chelsea offered, and Violet realized that Chelsea must have been genuinely worried.
