"I say we spend the night here, keep an eye on him," Luke said, moving his eyes around everyone with a heavy, protective gaze.
When the three returned from the distant silver trees, Cissel and Ricky told the other two exactly what had happened to John. The latter kept telling them he was alright, feeling better, yet the look of worry on his friends' faces was truly genuine, truly touching! It was a collective anxiety that seemed to bind them together more tightly than any battle had so far.
Even Ricky showed deep concern about him! The youngster who usually looked for any reason to knock John off his pedestal was now pacing nearby, his brow furrowed as he stole glances at the invincible leader.
"Guys, I'm really fine," John tried to repeat the same words he had been saying for the past hour, yet none of them listened to him. He was a man used to being the pillar of the group, and finding himself the object of pity and care was an alien experience.
