<div class="floatright">(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_et9ttl8zdzQ/TD_-vwBMOGI/AAAAAAAAN5E/eP7JumXuE2M/s1600/1a3f651e06434edab4aee510aaf9f5b6.jpg)</div><br/>As Eliza was brought back inside, Michelle followed quietly, not really looking at the others as she stayed close to Eliza.  Michelle couldn't help but feel stupid.  She had waited long enough to put on her clothes, leaving her friend all alone and naked, when she knew that someone else had been out there.  What was wrong with her?  She should have done something, like grabbing the clothes first and then coming back naked to dress alongside Eliza.  In hindsight, the plan was so clear, so obvious, and no one would have gotten hurt.<br/><br/>Her legs had lost the usual happy-go-lucky spring in her step as she shuffled sullenly along to the basement, following along to stay near Eliza this time.  She sat down upon the floor, leaning back against her arms and sighing with self-loathing.  That was two for two where a combat situation had arisen and she'd been completely wrong in her estimation of what to do.  Hadn't she been raised better than that?<br/><br/>The faint throbbing in her feet made her slip off her boots, leaning up a bit to check her feet.  Of course with all the running and without having socks on, her feet now felt funny.  After a moment's consideration, she started to put on the socks that she'd gotten for Eliza, feeling a little bad as if she was taking them without permission, but of course they had Eliza's original clothes now anyway.<br/><br/>"I'm sorry, Eliza."  The words were gentle but heartfelt, somehow knowing, just knowing that she could have done something if she could just figure out the best course of action, that this was all her fault.  Really, all she had to do was suggest not stripping in the river, fooling around and letting themselves get undefended.  Of course it was all her fault.  She was lucky her friend was still alive.