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My throat closes.

I nod.

She folds me into her carefully, and I almost collapse against her black dress. She smells like powder, smoke, and funeral flowers. Her arms are thin but strong.

I press my face to her shoulder.

Just one breath.

Then another.

I step back before I start crying and cannot stop.

Petal covers her mouth. “Honey.”

“I’m okay.”

Maybe if I say it enough, eventually my body will get tired of arguing.

Bitter stands several feet away, silent and bloody.

Mercy looks at him.

Whatever she sees keeps her from saying the things written all over her face. Lucky for everybody, because Mercy Duvall looks capable of skinning a man with scripture and a nail file.

Hyde comes out of the trees with Boogie and Ghoul dragging Razor between them. Razor’s hands are zip-tied behind his back. His face is a mess. He limps hard on the leg I stabbed.

When he sees me, he straightens as much as Hyde’s grip allows.

“Doll.”

Bitter moves.

Hyde’s hand shoots out across his chest, but Bitter stops himself before Hyde actually has to catch him.

Interesting.

Hyde turns to Razor and drives a fist into his stomach hard enough to fold him.

“You were told.”

Razor wheezes.

Hyde leans close. “Say it again and you lose teeth until you can’t say anything.”

Boogie brightens. “I can hold the bag.”

Mercy mutters, “Of course you have a tooth bag.”

“I have several. Different sizes.”

Petal makes a gagging sound.

Even now, a laugh tries to escape me.

It comes out broken.

Bitter hears.