Crumble and fail.....

Milo's POV

The weight of Jem on my shoulders was lighter than it should have been, her frail frame a stark reminder of everything that had gone wrong.

I adjusted her gently, mindful of her bruises and bony shoulders, each step forward driving my guilt deeper. She was so different from a few weeks ago—malnourished, her skin pale and her breaths faint.

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay composed. Regret clawed at the edges of my resolve, a gnawing ache that whispered accusations. I should have been faster. I should have stopped this from happening. But now wasn't the time to dwell. I repeated the thought like a mantra: We're out. She's safe now.