Chapter 22 Chapter 22

Chapter 22 Chapter 22
Sabrina's POV
My head was splitting.
I opened my eyes. The light was blinding. I squinted, slowly adjusting.
Where was I?
The ceiling was white, and soft sunlight streamed in through the window. Golden, smelling of morning.
The sheets were very white. It smelled of disinfectant. The infirmary.
On the bedside table, there was a flower. A daisy.
White petals. Yellow center. Still dewy. Glistening in the sunlight.
It was beautiful. Who put it there?
My mind was still a bit foggy. Memories slowly came back.
The fighting ring. Garrick. Punches. Pain. Blood. Then darkness. I lost.
"Sabrina?"
A voice. I turned my head. Rosa stood at the door.
Seeing I was awake, she walked over quickly.
"You're awake," she said. "How do you feel?"
"Like shit," I said. My voice was hoarse. Throat dry.
Rosa sighed in relief. "At least you can still talk."
She poured a glass of water and handed it to me. I took it and drank a mouthful. Cool. Soothing.
"You were out cold," Rosa said. "For a whole day."
"Scared us to death."
"You pushed too hard, Sabrina."
"You have contusions all over, your ribs from the last fight barely healed and you almost broke them again, plus a concussion. You could've died."
I looked down at the cup. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry," Rosa said. "Be smart."
"Don't be so stupid next time."
She started checking my wounds. The bandage on my face. The wrapping on my ribs. The splint on my nose.
"Luckily nothing major," she said. "Bones will heal. Bruises will fade. Give it time."
I nodded.
"Abigail..." I started. "Does she know?"
Rosa shook her head. "We told her you were tired from training. Needed rest. She doesn't know."
I let out a breath. "Good. Don't let her worry."
"She won't," Rosa said. "But you need to rest."
"No heavy lifting. No training. At least one week."
"One week?"
"Yes." Rosa sighed. "Your body needs to recover. If you don't listen, it'll be longer."
I sighed. "Okay."
The door opened. Mira walked in.
Seeing me awake, a smile appeared on her face.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey."
She sat on the edge of the bed and took my hand.
"You scared us."
"I know."
"Why?" Mira asked. "Why did you keep fighting?"
"You knew you couldn't win."
I looked at her. "Because of Teresa," I said.
"Seeing her reminded me of myself before. Weak. Scared."
"Trying to protect my kid. But having no power to do it."
"I wanted to help her. But I still lost. I failed."
Mira shook her head. "You didn't fail."
"What?"
"You lost in the ring," Mira said. "But you won outside."
I smiled bitterly. "I don't care about reputation."
"I'm not talking about reputation," Mira said. "Teresa is in. Kael approved it."
I froze. "What?"
"After you passed out," Mira said. "Garrick stood up."
"He said he was won over by your courage. He called it a draw."
"I took the chance to ask Kael if Teresa could join. Kael tacitly agreed, just nodded silently."
I couldn't believe it. "Really?"
"Really," Mira said. "She starts training tomorrow."
"And this," she pointed to the daisy. "Kael sent it."
"While you were unconscious. He came by. Left the flower and walked away."
I looked at the flower, small and fragile, yet standing tall.
"Did he say anything?" I asked.
Mira shook her head. "Nothing."
"He just stood at the door. Watched you for a while. Then left."
Mira rolled her eyes and whispered, "This is the first time Kael has privately given someone a gift. I've been here so long, it's the first time I've seen him do this."
My heart beat a little faster. Kael's first gift, and it was for me?
Mira seemed to be teasing, then changed the subject, "Garrick actually held back." Mira said. "It looked scary. But he avoided vital areas."
"You can go home tonight."
I nodded. "Thanks, Mira."
"Don't thank me," she said. "Thank yourself."
"You proved it. You're a warrior."
Evening. Rosa discharged me.
I walked slowly back to my cabin and pushed open the door.
"Mama!"
Abigail jumped off the bed and ran over.
She saw the bandages on my face and stopped.
"Mama? What happened?"
"I'm okay, baby." I crouched down and hugged her.
"Just trained too hard."
"Does it hurt?"
"A little. But I'm fine."
Abigail's eyes turned red. "Don't train so hard, I don't want you to get hurt."
My heart squeezed. "I won't, baby. I promise. I'll take care of myself."
She hugged me tight, burying her small face in my shoulder.
"I love you, Mama."
"I love you too."
That night we washed up together. Abigail helped me with the towel, carefully avoiding my wounds.
"Like this?" she asked.
"Perfect."
We lay in bed. She rested her head on my arm.
"Mama," she said.
"Hmm?"
"You're very brave."
I smiled. "Where did you learn that word?"
"Lucas told me. He said you're the bravest person he knows."
I kissed her forehead. "I'm just doing what I have to do."
A few days passed. My wounds started to heal.
Bruises turned yellow. Swelling went down. My nose was still a bit crooked, but nothing serious.
I returned to the training grounds. Started training Teresa.
She worked hard. Improving every day.
Teresa had dark brown curly hair tied in a low ponytail. Her face still looked a bit haggard, but the fierce determination in her eyes hadn't faded a bit.
"Steady footing," I demonstrated. "Left foot forward, right foot back."
"Like this?" Teresa copied me.
"Right. Now punch. Remember, power comes from the waist, not the arm."
She punched. Movement was still a bit stiff.
"Rotate your waist," I corrected. "Use your whole body's strength."
"Good!" I said. "Ten more times."
She finished, then bent over, gasping for air.
"Water break," I said.
She drank some water and wiped the sweat from her face.
"How did you do it?" she asked. "How long did you train before you could fight?"
"Months," I said. "Trained every day."
"I will too," Teresa said. "You have to rely on yourself."
"You will," I said. "As long as you keep at it."
After training, we walked back together.
Teresa's baby was in Abigail's arms.
He was a tiny boy. Only eight months old. Soft blonde curls like his mom. Big blue eyes. Fair skin. He was wearing little clothes Lily made, beige, a bit too big.
Abigail was very careful, holding him with both hands.
"He's so cute," she said. "Can I hold him more?"
"Of course," Teresa laughed. "As much as you want."
The baby reached out his small hand and grabbed Abigail's finger. Abigail giggled.
"He likes me!"
"He does," Teresa said. "You're gentle."
Abigail was overjoyed. She hummed a song as she walked, singing for the baby.
Teresa looked at her. "Your daughter is sweet."
"Thanks," I said. "She likes babies."
"Maybe she'll be a good big sister someday."
We reached my cabin. Got ready to part ways.
"Mama," Abigail said suddenly.
"Hmm?"
She pulled a baseball out of her little bag.
"Remember you said you'd ask Kael?"
"To play baseball with us?"
I paused. "Oh. I haven't asked yet."
"Can you ask him?" Abigail said. "Please?"
"Lucas said he's amazing. He jumped so high. He can definitely hit it really far."
I looked at her expectant eyes. Remembered that day. Kael jumping lightly into the tree. Getting the ball. Then walking away fast.
But everyone in camp knew, except for official business, Kael didn't interact with anyone.
Ask him to join a kids' baseball game? Would he agree?
But Abigail was waiting for my answer.
"I'll try," I said. "I'll ask him."
"Really?" Abigail jumped up. "Thank you, Mama!"
Teresa shook her head with a smile. "Good luck with that."
"I'll need it," I said.