As soon as Maren left the hut, Popi walked in carrying a wooden bowl filled with fresh water.
"I think he hates us," she muttered, her voice filled with disappointment and resignation.
She had stood outside when she saw Maren in the hut, too scared to step inside. She had witnessed the entire cold interaction between Neve and the shark chief. She had seen how harshly Maren had rejected Neve's apology.
Neve did not even need anyone to tell him that Maren hated him. He already knew. The negative favorability meter made that abundantly clear.
He sighed heavily, his hand dragging down his face. He tried to take Maren off his mind for one second and walked back to Maren's mother on the straw mat.
He washed his hand clean with the water Popi had brought and took the silver needle. It was time to start the treatment for the day.
