"It was, in fact, entirely baseless and I know that because I'm the one who did it, and I confessed to it nearly immediately after seeing what had happened." Ana looked down, her entire posture appearing contrite. "And the good wardens merely used one of the few good relationships that anyone on the barge has as proof of his guilt, because they thought that I was covering for him."

Ana paused, and her features hardened. "Then, the doctors in the infirmary accused McCullen of lying. All of this, zombies, burns, bites and death tolled and then he got abused by the doctors who are meant to be overseeing our care."