Urdon Pov
My left boot slipped on the smooth wooden steps of the back porch.
I put all my remaining weight onto Freda's shoulder, and she let out a sharp grunt but she did not drop me. Her hand was tight around my belt, pulling me upward until we cleared the doorway and entered the dark kitchen.
"Get him onto the bench," Rex said. He dropped three iron pipes onto the floorboards with a loud clatter and grabbed the back of my flannel shirt to help her.
"Gently, Rex," Freda said.
They lowered me onto the long oak bench by the wash basin.
"The bite from the rogue leader opened up again," Rex said. He pulled a dirty white towel from the iron rack and pressed it hard against the side of my neck.
"I can feel it," I said. My teeth chattered twice before I could stop them, and my forehead was wet with cold sweat.
"Hold this towel, Mara," Freda said.
