What had happened in the Black Lake was still fresh in Lydia's mind. Too fresh. For the past few nights since it had happened, she'd been having nightmares. They'd wake her in the middle of the night, and she found it hard to fall asleep again. Lack of sleep was beginning to take its toll, and she found herself almost falling asleep in classes, which was unacceptable to her. Maybe the nurse would have some sort of tonic or potion that would help her sleep.

Unbidden, the memory of the cold lake, the dark cave, and the terrifying grindylows with their yellow eyes arose in her mind, and she shuddered. She could still hear the screams of her fellow students and see the blood that had floated through the water. Luckily, she had emerged physically unscathed thanks to Rylee's quick actions. But mentally? It was probably going to take a while to get over it.

The waiting bench in the hospital wing was currently occupied, which startled Lydia. She hadn't expected anyone else to be here. But wait...she recognized him. It was the boy from the lake who'd almost ended up as fish food. Although they'd never formally introduced themselves, she knew his name was Derf.

She said his name now. "Derf!" she exclaimed. "Are you ok?" The boy looked like he was about to fall asleep, and she didn't think that would be a good idea, especially if he hadn't had his leg treated until now. Why had he waited so long to get help?