By the time I had calmed her down it was well past 4 am.
Usually she went back to sleep, tossing fitfully until she succumbed to the succor of sand in her eyes.
Tonight, though, she sat up and continued to cry softly, the quiet sound harmonizing with the soft patter of rain.
The only thing I could do was sit and hold her, veritable castle walls of blankets cocooned around her thin frame to shield her from the chilling aura I wished I could adjust like a thermostat.
"I'm not going back to see Jake."
Her voice startled me, as she so rarely spoke anymore. Everything had seemed fine in her room the day I finally gave up my pointless pretense of her salvation; I had underestimated the scarring it left.
"Why, Bella? I know you care for him." I didn't even have to work to keep my voice gentle and understanding. Anything that caused her pain also tortured me.
She sniffed, trying to clear mucous from her nose.
"He just... doesn't get it. He tried to kiss me, and threatened to keep me trapped on the rez. He won't let us just be friends."