~Heidi's Point Of View~
The air in the dormitory feels different and softer now. Like some invisible weight has been lifted from Heidi's chest, if only a little.
She's lying back on her narrow mattress, the wool blanket scratchy against her bare arms, while Val shifts on the other bed across from her. For hours, Val hadn't wanted to speak before they slept. What Heidi gets are only cold silences and the occasional sniffle, her body curled up tight as though she could still hear Junie's screams. Heidi had thought maybe their friendship was done, burned away by the flames of guilt and betrayal left behind in the labyrinth.
But then she spoke. Just a few sentences. Enough to let Heidi breathe again.
It wasn't forgiveness yet, but it was something. And when Heidi confessed her nightmares, confessed that Junie's face haunted her too, that she felt just as guilty, just as hollow, Val had listened. Really listened.
