To Lariette's relief, she managed to get Ruediger to drink some water before lying on the bed again. She cradled him gently against her chest, hoping to lull him back to sleep.
Ruediger's body was tense at first, his breath ragged and shoulders trembling, when Lariette persuaded him to return to sleep. She was worried about him not being able to rest well.
But as Lariette held Ruediger with her arms wrapped securely around his back, she sensed his stiffness slowly begin to melt away, like winter ice softening under morning light.
Ruediger's head rested just below Lariette's collarbone, face buried against her skin. Each shaky breath warmed the fabric of her pajamas, still damp from his tears.
From a glance, Lariette saw the clock needles pointing to half-past four. The time was still too early.
The early morning breeze rustled the leaves outside. The entire village was still blanketed in silence as most were still asleep.
