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“You’re welcome. I thought it would be the perfect way to end a wonderful day.” A look of disgust and horror flashed over Nell’s face for a split second before she plastered on her usual neutral look.

“Nell? Is everything all right?”

“No.”

“What?”

Nell motioned with her head in the direction of the largest Klagan. “He’s here. Different women this time.”

“The restaurant’s quiet. He won’t make a scene.”

Nell snorted. “Think again.”

Philtan headed in their direction. “Mind if I sit for a moment?” he asked, keeping his voice low.

Maklr looked at Nell. Her face remained impassive. “For a minute. We were finishing up.”

“I saw.” Philtan turned to Nell. “Nell, I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I’m sure Maklr’s told you sometimes I speak before I think or act. Or,” he paused, “do a lot of things. Thinking isn’t my strong suit.”

A slight smile crossed Nell’s face. “I didn’t think you meant anything harmful. I'm just,” she started. “There’s a lot of things I’m still working on.”

“But you’re getting better, right?” Philtan asked, his voice gentle.

“Slowly. I’m braver than I was.”

“But you still don’t like men,” Philtan said.

“I don’t dislike them. More of a distrust.”

“After what that bastard did to you,” Phil said, ending his thought. “And I’m sorry we couldn’t catch him.”

“Who?” Maklr asked.

“The one who followed Nell around on the ship.”

“Conversation ended,” Maklr said. His voice got deeper, almost to a growl.

Nell stood up. “Can we go back now, Maklr?”

“Absolutely.” He took her hand. They left the restaurant, strolling into the night air. “We can wait for the conveyance here.” Maklr tapped on his tablet. “One should arrive shortly. What was Phil going on about?” Maklr asked.

“Everyone loves to dream that they’d be their own hero.” Nell said, avoiding Maklr’s intense stare.

He shook his head, wisps of white hair flying in the early evening breeze. “I’m not sure I understand,” he said. “What are you trying to say?”

“I failed. I’m no hero.” Nell picked at her nails. “I didn’t do anything to prevent what happened to me. And he still lives.”

“That’s not the way I see it.”

“I just,” Nell paused, throwing her hands in the air. “I just let things happen and stopped resisting, since it only caused me more pain.”

“You did more than most. You survived Nell. Not only did you survive, you’re thriving now. The Nell that arrived on Ashuk a few days ago would never have gone zip lining, or jumped intothe waterfall’s pool. Don’t look back. Look how far you’ve come.” Maklr ran his black claws through his signature mohawk. “What you didn’t realize, either then, or now, is that you are the hero of your story. Nell, my sweet Nell, you are truly a hero, a survivor of a hellish experience.”

Chapter 12

Nell