Jade's body stirred on the grass, a low groan escaping his lips as he clutched at his side. "Ahh... god..." he winced, coughing harshly, each breath scraping through his throat. He rolled onto his left, trying to push himself upright, but his limbs felt like lead. The moment he tried, his strength faltered and he collapsed back onto the torn Bermuda ground, the blades of grass cool against his slightest burn skin.
For a long second, he just lay there again, chest rising and falling in shallow gasps. His eyes flickered weakly toward the window above.... and there they were. Dila and Fran, their figures framed against the dim light of the dorm. His pride ached more sharply than his wounds. He quickly turned his head away, face tightening as shame flooded him. He could not let them see him like this—broken, trembling, barely able to move.
