My body went cold. My eyes widened.
My breathing grew shallow. And my knees threatened to buckle beneath me.
For the first time since I had unwillingly been pulled into this nightmare, I began to tear up.
I tried my best not to give in and cry my heart out… because I knew if I did, I'd be trapped here.
But all my effort was for nothing.
Because the moment she spoke next… I broke down.
"Has it been tough without me, Sam?"
Her voice was like a ray of sunlight splitting a stormcloud. It was soft, warm, and impossibly real.
The way she said my name — no one else ever said it like that. Not even in my dreams. It crawled under my skin, bypassed every defense, and struck straight at the boy I used to be.
I clenched my jaw, but my throat trembled.
My fingers, stiff as stone, began to shake.
I clawed weakly at her arms as they tightened around me.
