Mosquito Repellent

Serena sat in the dirt, leaning her exhausted body against the rough bark of a massive oak tree. The sparse shade offered little relief from the stifling afternoon heat. She dragged a hand across her forehead, wiping away a fresh layer of grime and sweat. As she stared at the distant training field, her mind forcefully recalled the agonizing details of her previous life. In that timeline, she had