Tarvo shook his head. "It's fine. It's not your fault." He turned to her and smiled. "You can lean on me if you need to."

Karin looked at him and gave a tired, thankful smile as she leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder, but soon putting almost all of her weight on him.

Tarvo smiled slightly and stroked her hair calmly. He used to do this to his sisters when they couldn't sleep. He thought it would be calming for them both if he did so now.

Karin closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh. As she drifted off to sleep she whispered. "Thank you... Tarvo..."

Tarvo smiled. "You're welcome. I'll always be here for you if you need me."

Karin smiled sleepily and fell into a deep sleep.

Tarvo rested his head on Karin's. He shut his eyes and breathed deeply, gingerly touching his gut where Karin's father had hit him. He winced slightly and let his arm fall into his lap.

A few hours later Karin stirred and groaned.

Tarvo lifted his head. He had fallen asleeo when he didn't mean to. It was dark now, a good time to start moving. He poked Karin. "Hey. Wake up."

Karin groaned again and looked up at him. "Hey..."

He smiled at her. "Hey. We should get going. It's dark enought to move without being seen."

Karin nodded softly and looked over at the sleeping girls. "Alright, go wake them, while I find a way to get myself moving." She joked.

Tarvo laughed softly. "Alright then. If you need me to help you I can."

Karin nodded and struggled to get herself to her feet.

Tarvo went to wake his sisters than returned to help Karin. She seemed to be the determined type. He smiled to himself.

Karin looked up at him and smiled once she had gotten herself to her feet, she certainly felt stronger than before they'd stopped to rest but she was still weak.