Chapter 18: Threads of Kindness

“Don’t you want me to walk you to the fields? It’s pretty late,” Nick said, watching Olivera as she packed some food into a worn leather bag. Though she had shared dinner with him, she was insistent on saving some for her friend, Jeremy, who hadn’t been so fortunate. “No, it’s okay. I’ll be fine,” Olivera replied, tying the bag and slinging it over her left shoulder. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate the offer—Nick had been more than kind to her all day—but she didn’t want to burden him any further. Walking the long route that led to the prison yard wasn’t something she felt comfortable asking of him, especially after all he had done for her. She also had other tasks to complete before heading back to her quarters. First, she needed to stop by the girls’ changing rooms to rid herself of the filthy slave garb. With any luck, she’d find some water to wash the clothes and herself. It baffled her how anyone could wear the same filthy outfit day in and day out without so much as a rins