[h2]Esme Stirling[/h2]

Esme had heard Cason ask his question as she healed Annabeth, but had chosen not to answer him. Mostly because she was trying to concentrate on what she was doing and because she felt she really didn’t have to answer. She was just about to make the first stitch on the second wound when Cason spoke to Benjamin. She paused at his words and looked over her shoulder at Benjamin to see what he’d do, missing the whole appearance of the Ray Bans but not the words Cason spoke to Annabeth. When he confirmed he could help, she inwardly sighed. She wouldn’t admit it aloud, but she was glad he stepped in to heal her, even though she wished he would have done it sooner. 

She watched as he made his way over, said a spell, and healed her. Esme couldn’t help but inspect where the wounds had been as he spoke . She could just barely make out the light scar left behind. She then looked at Annabeth and placed her hand that still rested on her arm and gave it a small friendly squeeze. “Looks like he fixed you up pretty well.” she said warmly. “I’ll be back in a bit.” she told her as she stood from the bed. “I’m going to go clean up.” Gathering everything she used and the kit, Esme headed into the bathroom. 

Once there, she sat everything down on the toilet set and cracked the door behind her, just hearing Benjamin’s last words. She turned and walked to the sink, placing a hand on both sides and leaning against it as she looked into the cracked mirror. When she looked at the reflection, she hardly recognized the person looking back at her. She was pale, dishevelled, and the dark circles under eyes were slightly more visible than they were earlier. Sighing heavily, she turned on the water and cleaned up. 

“What a hell of a day this has been.” she whispered as she cleaned up. She then put everything away, feeling herself coming down from everything now she was away from everyone. She made it back to the sink and clung to it, feeling herself become lightheaded and weak. “Come on. Hang in there.” she whispered to herself. She breathed slowly, trying to get herself through it.