Anne felt Sprig jump onto her shoulder and quickly moved in on her head in her hair, turning to the screeching lizard and showering it with pebbles from his sling. For the sixth time that week they were running for their lives from some kind of vile, and it was only Wednesday. Or so Anne thought, her phone had died a few days ago and Luz's was long broken.

A few days ago she'd brought in some fluffy caterpillar that looked like her cat Domino, only to find out it would soon turn into a bloodthirsty monster. She had a hard time letting her out when she got into her cocoon, but Maddie said that Domino 2 would be happier this way and would make other friends like her.

Right now, the girl was seriously regretting not staying in the cave with Luz and Maddie. Since her ribs and ankle had healed, she and Sprig were doing Maddie the favor of going out and gathering the ingredients she needed to show Luz new potions.

However, Anne and Sprig would goof off for a few hours and find a new bug to chase after them and come back a few hours later breathing heavily with squished ingredients and new wounds and scratches on Anne that Luz would scold her for while putting little band-aids or pouring potions on them.

Anne ducked to avoid hitting the branch she was passing under, almost knocking Sprig off her head just to see the thorny bush she had to walk through.

''Oh come on!" she complained before speeding up, going straight through the bush, trying to ignore the pain.

Sprig was gripping her hair like a cat, trying not to fall into the thorny bush. Anne scrambled out of the bush, her legs covered in scratches and stuck thorns. Luz was going to scold her a lot for that. She turned to look at the huge lizard that was trying to get around the bush. She took advantage of that and ran with Sprig still on her head towards a clearing.

They scrambled into a fallen hollow tree and tried to catch their breath as they listened carefully for the lizard's screeching. They could no longer hear the screeching, only a distant low growl. Anne took a breath and calmly padded over and began removing the thorns stuck in her legs.

Sprig squinted at the spines Anne was flicking to the ground before his eyes widened. ''Oh no. Anne! Are you in agonizing pain!? Are you dying!? Has the poison reached your brain yet!?'' he shot out questions quickly and in a panic.

''Uh no, it hurts as much as ordinary scratches.'' the girl said calmly.

Sprig scratched his chin thoughtfully with his hand. ''That's weird... If you were a frog right now you'd be writhing in agonizing pain from the poison of the thorns...''

''Maybe it doesn't work the same way on humans?" shrugged Anne, Sprig nodding in agreement. ''Isn't that one over there one of the brambles Maddie wanted?'' she pointed to a green-blue bramble growing on the opposite side of the trunk from them.

Sprig realized it was indeed the same bramble Maddie wanted and tore some off and stuffed it into Anne's backpack. ''Are we going back or are we going to hang out here for a bit longer?''

The girl had already removed all the thorns and put her backpack back on her back. ''Let's go back. I think we've had enough adventures for today, and the others might be worried.'' she stepped out of the fallen hollow tree and looked around for the lizard before signaling to Sprig that it was safe to go.

''Alllright!" agreed Sprig, jumping back onto her head and pointing forward. ''This way!''

Anne chuckled. ''Buddy, the cave is in the opposite direction.''

Luz paced nervously around the cave, thinking about what Sprig and Anne must have been eaten by, while Maddie calmly read a book on dark magic.

''I'm saying this for probably the fifth time, but relax, I'm sure they're fine, the two of them work well as a team!'' Maddie raised her head from her book.

They heard footsteps from outside, and after a while, an exhausted Anne with Sprig on her head, lifted the vines and entered the cave. Sprig jumped off her head onto the ground, she tossed her backpack to Maddie who dropped her book on the ground to catch it and without saying anything tossed herself into the pile of blankets and pillows where the two girls slept.

After a moment, however, she sat up again, realizing that her feet were covered in dirt and still bleeding scratches.

''Where were you for so long! And what happened to you! Did you go through a thorny bush!'' Luz began to bombard them with questions.

''We were only out for a few hours!'' Anne tried to defend herself. ''And yes, I went through a thorny bush.'' she crossed her arms.

Luz inspected her injuries. ''I don't know if I'll have enough band-aids for all these scratches and wounds...'' nevertheless, she picked up her packet of band-aids and started to stick them on Anne's scratches.

''Luz, I don't need them I'll look like a Christmas tree.'' sighed Anne.

''It's your fault for going through the thorny bush! Sprig come here! You're not getting out of the boo boo buddies club!'' she pointed at Sprig who was about to leave.

''We were chased by a huge lizard-''

''Uuh guys?" chimed in Maddie. ''We ran out of hybeena honey.''

''Can we go find some tomorrow? I ran for my life enough today.'' whined the fluffy haired girl.

''Of course you can, you do enough for us by finding ingredients. But the problem is that I don't think you two can handle it alone.''

Sprig gave her a somewhat offended look. ''Why not? We're Sprig and Anne!''

''Anne and Sprig!" added Anne.

''Spranne against the world!" the two shouted and did a weird handshake then broke out into giggles.

''You guys have handshakes?" asked Luz excitedly. ''I want one too!''

''Ahem...'' Maddie cleared her throat to get their attention. ''The hybeena honey is only found in the hives of hybeenas, and there are plenty and they guard their honey well. They can bite off one of your limbs with ease and the venom from their stings can kill a frog in less than fifteen minutes if left untreated. Plus it's pretty painful. Oh yeah forgot to mention. They're three times my size.''

Anne grunted. ''Yeahh, Sprig and I are a good team, but I don't think we can handle a hive of hyena bees. Can't we buy it from somewhere?''

''They sell it once a year in the town and it's pretty expensive. The mayor always buys the whole thing and doesn't share it with anyone.'' the light blue frog said a little annoyed.

''Then what's the plan?" asked Luz. ''Honey is used in a lot of healing potions, I won't be able to continue my witch training without it!''

''Don't worry.'' Maddie patted her shoulder ''I have a plan. We know the hybeenas hate smoke, we'll throw a strong smoke bomb or fog brew into their hive and wait for them to come out. We'll distract them and in the meantime Sprig will sneak in and get honey.''

''But won't I choke on the smoke?''

''That's why you'll have to be quick. Bring a wet cloth or something. If you don't come out in a few minutes Anne will come in and drag you out. In the meantime, though, Luz and I will have to distract them ourselves, so make sure you get out. Know also that if we get more we can sell it for good money.''

''Isn't that a bit dangerous? Luz furrowed her eyebrows together.

Maddie laughed dryly ''Of course it's dangerous! But there's no other way we can get hybeena honey. Of course, if you don't want I won't make you, after all, it's possible that things could get ugly rather quickly.'' she added.

''No! I won't be giving up my witch training for some bees!'' Luz stood up confidently.

''Well, uh, I'll help too!'' Anne stood up as well.

''I'm coming too!'' Sprig joined in, trying to imitate the spirit of the others.

Maddie smiled widely. ''Alright then! Let's start preparing!''

For the next few hours, they prepared various potions and Luz even got a belt that she could hang her potions on for easier access. When it started to get dark, the two frogs went back to their homes. Luz had to finish her healing potion just in case before going to bed.

The potion had taken on its usual pale red color, which meant she only had a little more stirring to do before it was ready. As she watched the bubbling liquid she couldn't help but feel the small spark of worry. She'd seen plenty of beasts from this world before, but almost always someone saved her skin from them. She went back to the potion and put out the fire. She'd test to see if it worked tomorrow.

When at noon the sun rose again in the sky, the two frogs again entered the cave, preparing quickly for the mission they had set themselves.

It was a bit of chaos, everyone taking various potions and primitive spears as they rushed around.

Maddie clapped her hands loudly to get everyone's attention. ''Alright Sprig did you get the smoke bombs, explosive bundles, one of your slinshots and some cloth for masks?''

''Everything is here!''

''Luz! Did you get your dagger, healing potions and poisons?''

''Yep!''

''Anne! Do you have the spear, pocket knife, and healing potions?''

''I have it all, ma'am!

''Don't call me that. Okay! Remember the game plan! Sprig throws a smoke bomb into the hive with his slingshot, enters and exits as quickly as possible while taking honey. Meanwhile, the rest of us distract the nasty bugs because they'll want to get back into the hive to guard their hatchlings and honey, with Luz in the background as a healer and Anne trying to fend them off with her weapons while I blast them with potions.'' Maddie said in one breath. ''Are you ready?'' she got a nod from everyone in response.

The hive Maddie had found was located in a swampy place ten minutes away from the town. It took them longer to get there because they had to stay away from the town because Wally had picked up a mob that was still on the hunt for the two humans.

When they got there they were surprised at the sheer size of the hive that was built right on the ground and even more surprised at the size of the hyena/bee hybrids.

''Dios mío...'' murmured Luz under her breath.

The group quickly hid in a bush nearby waiting for a good moment to attack.

Luz wondered how the creatures were lifting their body from the take with their tiny wings but lo and behold they were doing just that. Their heads and forelegs looked like those of a hyena, only they had big red glowing eyes and two antennae. The back was that of a huge bee with huge sting.

They stood in the bush for an hour or two, watching the route and work of the creatures, Luz and Maddie taking notes. They wouldn't have a chance to confront the whole hive, so they kept track of when some of the hybeenas, left the hive. They concluded that every half hour or so, the workers would leave the hive and return in about ten or fifteen minutes with pollen and even a few dead animal corpses.

The group discussed as quietly as possible when it would be time to attack. They'd have to wait about ten minutes before half the bees left the hive again, and from there they probably had about ten minutes to get the honey and leave, which should be enough.

Sprig prepared his slingshot with the strong smoke aiming carefully at one of the holes in the hive. They were far away and the shot was going to be a tough one for him. The hybeenas workers left the hive heading off in different directions. As soon as they were out of sight, Sprig squinted his eyes, brought the sling up a little more and fired. The sac fell right into the opening. Sprig quickly put a cloth mask over his mouth and prepared to jump into the hive.

After a few seconds that seemed like hours there was a quiet boom and smoke began to come out of the hive's openings. The hybeenas quickly flew out of there panicked.

This was Sprig's chance. He threw one of the smoke bombs in front of him and dove into the cloud of smoke, managing to successfully enter the hive without being spotted.

The hybeenas were trying to bypass the smoke and get back into the nest next to their honey, some risking and diving into the smoke only to come out moments later. They had to distract them.

Anne threw one of her potions at a hybeena that was dangerously close to her and the creature seemed to lose its balance and leaned sideways stepping towards the ground dragging another one with it. This however gave away their hiding place and a crowd of hybeenas surrounded them. Anne threw another of her potions, but this time the hybrid avoided it with ease and stepped forward towards her with the sting.

Not even a few minutes had passed and everything was already going to shit.

She stopped it inches from her face with her spear as Maddie bathed the creature with various potions while several chased her. The hybeena with which Anne was occupied finally fell, however instead she was surrounded by several more angry hybeenas. With her peripheral vision, she saw Luz being surrounded as well. Anne smashed one of her potions into the face of the creature closest to her, which shrieked and staggered away, taking the other two down with it.

Luck was really on her side today. But it wasn't on Luz's side.

More of the hybrids were gathering around the other girl and she desperately backed away and pelted them with flasks, but missed most times. Anne tried to help by sticking her spear into the fur-covered neck of the creature closest to her, drawing their attention to herself. The spear was pulled from her hands and the animal whose neck she had stuck it in shot towards her.

Fortunately Maddie returned to save their skins, pelting the creatures with flasks of potions, missing only once.

Where the hell is Sprig? It has to have been a few minutes, he should have been out by now.

Anne signaled to Maddie that she'd come in to look for him. Maddie nodded back at her and made a hand signal to Luz.

Anne moved away from them and threw a smoke bomb at her feet, making a cloud of smoke and chasing away the hybrids. She darted towards the still smoking nest entering one of the openings. She had to stoop quite a bit because her head was resting on the ceiling.

''SPRIG?" she called out hearing her voice echo through the tunnels.

She heard the sound of a pebble or something small falling coming from one of the tunnels accompanied by a cough. She hurried down the tunnel, feeling her eyes begin to water from the smoke. She managed to make out a small silhouette in the smoke and rushed forward faster. She saw the familiar pink frog. He had squinted his eyes and was trying to get a good breath, but was failing from the smoke and it was making him cough. He had managed to fill a couple of jars with honey.

Anne quickly grabbed his arm and started pulling him forward trying to get back the same way she came. She heard buzzing behind them, which wasn't good at all. She continued forward even faster, realizing that she too had started coughing. She saw a light at the end of one of the tunnels and headed down it, Sprig now on her shoulders.

She finally managed to get out and felt the cold breeze of the air outside again. The buzzing from a moment ago had followed her, however, and she barely had time to duck to avoid a sting that would have stuck in her neck. She saw Luz and Maddie a hundred meters away, retreating in the direction of the forest, surrounded by hybeenas.

But something wasn't right. There were too many hybeenas and Anne quickly noticed more were coming. But that doesn't make sense, they should only be back in a few minutes, why are they all here?

Anne with Sprig still on her shoulders, rushed in their direction to help them. It felt like her lungs were burning, taking a breath was painful, her legs ached, but that didn't stop her from speeding even faster towards them.

Sprig had recovered fully and began bombarding the creatures with pebbles in an attempt to distract them from Maddie and Luz, which worked long enough for the four of them to get together in one place. Anne could hear the rapid beating of her heart in her ears and had a feeling she was going to collapse at any moment, but she knew what came next now.

It was time to flee.

''SPRIG SMOKE BOMB!" she somehow managed to shout, surprised at how raw her voice sounded.

Sprig nodded quickly and threw the smoke at their feet, forming a cloud of smoke. The hybeenas scattered, away from the smoke and now it was time to leave.

They used the last of their strength to scamper for shelter beneath the tall, thick growth of the forest.

When they could breathe no more they stopped, finding themselves under the dense canopy of trees in the forest, collapsing to the ground.

Luz managed to smile widely. ''Guys we did it!" she shouted with her usual enthusiasm.

Only then did the other three notice that one of those beasts had managed to follow them.

''LUZ! WATCH OUT!'' Maddie shouted and threw a flask of potion at the beast, which fell weakened to the ground, but too late.

Luz's smile disappeared, her voice died in her throat. The sting of the hybeena poked out of her right shoulder.

A pained cry came from her throat and she fell to her knees as the poison seeped into her body, bathing it in agonizing pain. Her shoulder hurt so much she didn't think she could move her arm even a little. The pain from her shoulder was spreading rapidly. She felt like she was going to throw up.

During this time Anne, Sprig and Maddie looked at her frozen in horror. Maddie finally shook it off. ''We have to get the sting out!''

The sounds were muffled for Anne. She had to get the stinger out. Maddie grabbed her arm and pulled her to Luz, pointing at the stinger protruding from her shoulder with teary eyes. She was telling her something about how she needed to get it out as soon as possible and that only she would have the strength because the stinger had little spikes on it in the opposite direction, making it hard for her victim to get it out.

Anne grabbed the showing end of the sting with both hands and pulled a little, hearing the sickening sound of tearing skin and muscle accompanied by Luz's cries of pain. She gripped forward trembling, her hands beginning to turn the color of Luz's blood. ''I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry...'' she whispered, tears streaming down her face before she pulled again.

Luz cried out in pain again, this time even louder and more desperately. Anne continued to pull, nauseated by Luz's agony-filled cries and the sound of her skin muscles ripping as the sting came out. She looked down at her hands, which were gripping the blood covered stinger tightly. She had succeeded.

Maddie quickly took the stinger from her hands and handed it to Sprig, who almost dropped it in disgust and surprise, but Maddie said something to him about how she would need it later.

Anne had leaned Luz against her and was pressing the bleeding wound with the cloth meant for a mask she didn't евен use, trying to stop the bleeding. Maddie walked forward with several potions in hand. She tried to keep her expression neutral, but it could be seen in her widened eyes that she was terrified and trying not to cry.

The light blue frog took a few potions and bandages from Luz's new belt and got to work. She quickly poured a few potions into the wound then gave Luz something to drink, which she somehow didn't choke on and managed to swallow.

''Bandage the wound.'' Maddie said simply and handed her the badges. That whould be easier said than done.

Anne tried not to panic and took the bandages. She first tore off part of her t-shirt to reveal the ugly wound better and applied the bandages firmly, going under her armpit then over the other and tying the bandage tight. She looked up at Luz's face. She had started to shiver, but sweat was beading on her forehead. How much time had passed? Didn't Maddie say it took the venom fifteen minutes to kill a frog?

Luz was still breathing. Maddie and Sprig were having a conversation behind her. What now? How was she going to be treated? Maddie tapped Anne on the shoulder to get her attention. ''We'll take her to the Sprig family's farm. We'll have a better chance of successful treatment there because there's running water and an adult who knows about you.'' The blue frog tried to keep her voice steady, but it couldn't help but break a little. ''Will you be able to carry her there? We'll guide you.'' Anne looked at her blood-covered hands and nodded. ''Good, because I don't know how much more time we have.''

Anne picked Luz up off the ground bridal style and tried to ignore the way her knees buckled and how tired she was. There was no time for that now. She gritted her teeth and followed Sprig and Maddie to the town they were so avoiding.

It took them a while to get to the Planter's farm because there were still frogs in the town and they had to go around and the farm was at the other end because Of course.

It must have been more than fifteen minutes by now. Luz had to be dead. But she wasn't. She was still breathing in Anne's arms, but it was easy to see by her face and her sobs that she was in agony.

Anne's lungs were burning somehow even more than before. She could hear the rapid beating of her heart in her ears, but she couldn't stop. She nearly broke down the front door when they finally reached it, terrifying the old frog who was peacefully making dinner.

''Sprig! What did I tell ya about doin' that?!" he yelled from the kitchen, but when he came into the living room followed by Sprig's little sister Polly to scold his grandson his face went pale at the sight of the terrified kids and the two otherworldly creatures covered in red.

''Kids?! What happened to you?!''

''We went to get honey from hybeena, but everything went wrong and Luz was stung!" cried Sprig.

''What in the name of the holy frog did you do in-'' Hop Pop paused. ''Leave her on the couch, I'll go see if it says anything in my books curing hybeena stings.''

''I know how to make the antidote!'' cried Maddie. ''I'll get on with it. I have to fix this, it's my fault for this. Give her another healing potion to keep her alive and a painkiller during this time.'' she said, handing them a few flasks of potions before turning around and wiping her eyes with her sleeve. ''May I use the kitchen? Great! I won't be making that big of a mess.''

The others looked around before turning back to Luz lying on the couch, looking worse than she had a before, but awake. Sprig excused himself to help Maddie. Hop Pop went to his office and returned with glasses and a thick book.

Anne quickly took the potions and squatted down to the other girl's level. ''Luz! Hey, hey! Stay with me!" she tried to get her attention, succeeding. ''You should drink these.'' she held up the two potions. ''They'll help you.''

'' 't hurts...'' she muttered miserably.

''I know. The potions will help you, just stay awake.'' she held up the healing potion first. ''Drink this.'' The other girl tried to perk up a little, barely succeeding. Anne picked up the potion and the other girl drank it bit by bit. ''Well done! You're doing great! Do you want me to give you the next one? It'll help with the pain.''

Luz gave her a weak nod and Anne approached with the painkiller. Luz drank it slowly again and tried to relax while waiting for the effects to kick in. Anne stayed by her side, holding her hand. After a while Luz fell asleep, or so Anne hoped. She was still breathing and had a pulse. The bandages binding her shoulder were turning red with blood. She probably needed to change them soon. Did she need to stitch the wound? It looked pretty big.

Maddie returned with a new potion in hand, her eyes red and puffy. ''I don't know if it'll work.'' she muttered. ''The best way to heal it is to inject it into the blood stream, but we have no safe way to do that.''

''Are there no doctors or pharmacies here?''

''The most doctors can do is stitch up wounds and give painkillers.'' Maddie paused for a moment. ''Medicine isn't very developed here, we'd have a better chance if we were in Newtopia, but we won't be able to get there until a few months.''

''Can't we do something? I can't let her die.'' desperately cried Anne.

Maddie sighed heavily and tried to collect her thoughts. ''Trust me, I can't either. We can give her the potion to drink, but she'll need several intakes and I don't know if it'll be too late when it takes effect. But that's all we have.'' she turned to Hop Pop. ''Does it say anything in your book Mr. Plantar?''

The old frog closed his book and placed it in his lap. ''Sorry kids, there's nothing.'' he turned to the little tadpole who was standing unusually quietly in her bucket next to him. ''Time for bed for you.'' Polly agreed and let him carry her to her room.

This was strange for her. Anne knew Polly to some extent and had figured she was a big rule breaker and liked violence. But now the tadpole was treating the situation with unusual maturity. Anne turned to Maddie who was trying to give the potion to Luz.

''How are you feeling?" Maddie asked her.

''Still hurts, but a little less.'' Luz said. She sounded a little bit out of it. '' 'm feelin' a little funny.''

''Okay. So the painkiller has started to kick in. It's one of the stronger ones, so you're feeling a little woozy.'' Maddie said, bringing the new potion closer to her. ''You'll have to drink this as well.''

Luz made a face at it, but nodded. After she drank the potion Hop Pop went back into the living room. ''Where's Sprig?" Maddie asked him.

''He said he wanted to rest.'' the orange frog sighed. ''I understand him. Aren't you gonna go home? It's gettin' late.''

''I have a few more things to do. I need to stitch up the wound.'' the light blue frog countered.

''I can do that too.'' said Hop Pop. ''I've stitched some pretty nasty wounds.''

''But-''

''No buts. You've done enough, kid. Your father is probably worried.''

''And can I give you some honey for your trouble? We have plenty and you can sell it for good money.''

''I don't need the money right now kid.'' lied Hop Pop. ''Go home.''

Maddie sighed in defeat. ''Alright, just let me know if there's anything. I'll be back in a bit with some of your stuff from the cave.'' the small frog said and left.

Hop Pop turned to Anne. ''Alright kid, time to stich up this wound. The sooner the better.''

''What should I do?''

''Be there for her. It's goin' to be a little painful. You can watch if you want, you'll have to stitch up wounds someday if you're goin' to stay in Amphibia. Either your own or a friend's.'' he said, then went to his room again and came back with a first aid kit and a pair of scissors. ''Help me remove the bandages.''

Anne did just that. Luz woke up again and looked around in confusion. ''We'll have to stitch up your wound.'' Anne told her in a calm tone. Luz cried softly. ''Everything will be alright, I promise.''

Once all the bandages were removed Hop Pop hissed at the sight of the wound. ''Oh, this one is one of the nastier ones...'' he said, not noticing Luz's frightened expression and got to work.

Luz bit her tongue in an attempt to avoid crying. ''Hey, I'm here, it'll be alright.'' Anne patted her head lightly.

After a few minutes, Hop Pop was done. He seemed to be experienced at it, because he was working quite quickly, but also carefully. Anne couldn't bring herself to watch for long, but she kinda understood how it worked.

Maddie came back with their backpacks, but quickly said goodbye because it was getting really dark.

''Okay girls, I'll make you a place to sleep in the basement, there's a lot of empty space down there.'' Hop Pop said and walked into the basement.

Luz was trying to go back to sleep, but this time it wasn't so easy. She didn't feel so dizzy anymore, but everything still hurt. Maybe that was why she couldn't fall back asleep. During this time Anne had been sitting on the ground, leaning back on the couch and asking if she was okay every five minutes.

Hop Pop returned from the basement and went to his room again, returning with sleeping bags and blankets. 'The basement is almost ready for ya. I just need to make a place for ya to sleep. I'll have to get ya a new shirt too. I'll try and patch and wash the one you have right now.'' he said and Luz thanked him quietly.

''Alllright!" said Anne and stood up and walked over to Luz, picking her up in her arms again. The other girl looked a little surprised by this. She nudged the trapdoor leading to the basement with her foot to open it enough and ducked her head, descending the stairs carefully.

''Wow, you are strong.'' blurted out Luz.

''Uh, yeah, thanks.'' said Anne awkwardly, but then a smug grin appeared on her face. ''I'm not that strong, you're just light.''

Luz looked at her in confusion for a moment and wondered why she looked so smug, but then it hit her. ''Oh my gosh, that was so dumb.'' she chuckled, realizing that even this was painful now. ''That wasn't even funny, I don't know why I'm even laughing.''

Hop Pop set the sleeping bags down next to each other and put a couple of folded blankets together with a big enough silk blouse he'd found and the backpacks of the two girls Maddie had brought back from the cave. Anne carefully placed Luz on one of the sleeping bags

''Well kiddos, it's gettin' kinda late and I'm goin' to bed.'' said Hop Pop. ''Don't be afraid to call out if you need anythin'. Sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite!'' he said before slamming the trapdoor shut.

Anne bandaged Luz's shoulder again and helped her put on the new shirt that Hop Pop gave her, which proved to be quite difficult because she could barely move her right arm without blacking out in pain. Once she was done Anne lay down on the sleeping bag next to Luz.

As soon as her head hit the pillow she realized how tired she was and a wave of sleepiness hit her. She closed her eyes for a moment but then sharply stood up, trying to shake off the sleepy feeling. She couldn't sleep until she was sure Luz was okay. She turned her head towards the other girl, who was looking at the ceiling.

''Are you okay?" she asked at first, but almost facepalmed as soon as she said it. ''Sorry, no, of course you're not okay! After all, you were stung by a huge hyena bee and had a hole in your shoulder until a little while ago!''

''Don't worry, I know what you mean. I've been much better, everything still hurts, but the painkiller is working pretty well. I don't feel like wanting to die that much.'' she tilted her head to the side slightly. ''I just can't sleep right now for some reason.''

Anne thought for a moment. ''What usually helps you fall asleep?''

A shadow of excitement passed over Luz's face for a moment. ''Reading a few pages of an Azura book! Just not from my favorite chapters, because I get carried away and fall asleep only when I finish the chapter. But now I can't use my hands, so that's out.''

Anne quickly pulled Luz's backpack onto her lap and dug out the first book in the series. ''I'll flip through the pages for you!'' she opened the first chapter and placed it over Luz's face so she could read.

Luz squinted her eyes and tried to focus, but could only see blurry letters. ''It's not working, all I can see is blurry. Thanks for trying though.''

However, Anne refused to give up. ''What if I read aloud to you?''

After a second of silence, Luz spoke. ''Actually, that's not a bad idea. But wait, didn't you say you don't like how flowery the words are there?''

''Pfft, I can bear with it for a bit.'' Anne waved her hand. She sat cross-legged and put the book in her lap.

She started reading aloud, desperately trying not to cringe at the flowery words, however as she continued reading she felt getting kinda used to it. After fifteen minutes, she lifted her head from the book and looked at Luz, who was snoring softly. Her face looked so peaceful and Anne couldn't help but smile slightly at that. She covered her with a blanket and went back to the book to finish reading the chapter with only a few sentences left.

After that she lay back down and this time she let herself to fall asleep.