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Sadie started crying. Not loudly.

That was worse.

“Hazel,” Declan said.

Listen.

I pressed harder. The grate hurt. Good. Closer.

I needed closer.

Declan got one hand between my face and the metal.

I fought him. Really fought him this time. He made a sound like I had hurt him.

I was screaming inside my own head.

My body dragged itself toward the drain.

“Hazel.” Declan’s voice broke. “Look at me.”

I couldn’t.

Listen.

Snap.

Static swallowed everything.

Dirt against my face. Something wet beneath one hand. Trees so thick there was no sky. A black opening.

A man’s voice under the ground.

Keep moving. Stay low.

I knew that voice.

Listen.

Listen and live.

Wait. What?

A hand touched my face.

Not the grate.

Warm. Declan.

“Come back to me, babygirl.” His voice came from directly next to me.

I fought to turn toward it. My body stayed pressed to the concrete.

“Come on,” he said. “Come back.”

Static. Reality flickered.

Don’t stop.