24

I heard a groan behind me, along with the shuffling of the ground's plants. It was my brother, who tried to stand again. The hurt was evident on his face, though his hair covered most of his eyes. His hands raised behind him, moderately straightening out to help him stretch. Another noise leaves him as his muscles ease.

He takes a step forward, bending his entire torso just to make sure that he doesn't fall. The first few are as if he took his first baby steps, then they begin to recover. He walks into a tree for support, already looking like he wanted to give up. But, he doesn't, when he progresses into a trudge to where Sang laid. He seems reluctant to stoop down, but he still does it, amidst his newfound pain.

He brings his fingers to her neck, checking her pulse. He looks for the site of her wounds, and from where I sat, the bruises were on her back. The most blood was found there on her grey shirt.

He speaks up. "She's okay for now."