Ava’s POV
I wrapped Mia’s hand around mine as we walked away, her little steps quick to match mine. The whispers from behind us still echoed in my ears, the venom in their voices clinging to my skin like poison.
By the time we reached the far side of the compound, my chest was so tight I could barely breathe.
Mia tugged on my hand. “Ava, stop.”
I froze, blinking hard.
Her face tilted up at me, her eyes blazing even though her cheeks were streaked with tears. “Don’t listen to them.”
I pressed my lips together, fighting the lump rising in my throat. “How can I not? They…they think I lied, that I made all of this up, about Orion, about Carla….about everything.”
Mia shook her head furiously. “They’re wrong, they weren’t there. They didn’t see what happened but I did. I saw how you saved
