I sat on the bed with Lira. Leila and Zela also followed, sitting beside me. The air in the hut was heavy, thick with worry. I asked Lira, softly: "Are you okay? Is there anything I can do to help you?"
Lira forced a smile, without looking us in the face. "Everything is fine. I'm just a little tired, but I'll be better soon."
Zela, unable to hold back, began to bombard her with questions: "Lira, what happened? What happened during your trip to the forest? Why did you come back so late? Why was there so much blood on your clothes?"
Zela gave her no room to answer, one question after another, her voice trembling with anxiety.
When Zela finally stopped, Lira only said: "Nothing happened. Everything is fine. I just... got lost," trying to explain her disappearance.
