cka

t, his expression grim, but Caleb was already checki

g the film into place. "Two of them. Fract

radling my side. Every breath felt like a jag

" Caleb sa

ook at me. His thumbs flew across his

ered, my voice thin and

licker of empathy. "You threw yourself against the car to

errified. In our circle, physicians who a

ething else," Dr

It looked like a storm of grey static

lnutrition from her weeks in isolation," the doctor said, his voice dropping. "Her immune d

went de

er hummed, a dull

he grey blobs

nc

Dr. Evans said so

me. Not fear. Just a hollow confirmation t

cracked through the

ked in. My bro

skin was flushed with the ver

" I br

at me. He glare

her into the room. "She said Ericka would feign a terminal illne

hands trembling as he gestured to the light board.

his pocket. "She has access to your systems

look at her! She

loo

dying woman. They sa

ked in the master bathroom at the Estate. She says she heard glass

e went pale. "We

d, frantically holding out a prescription

oice icy. "And get her back to the Marsh. If

de over

ng back against the

ok up at him. His fingers dug into

hat you did to this family," he whispered, his bre

ed me wit

y l

oor, rushing to save a woman who was in no danger

harged an

he Marsh-the isolated safe ho

, a woman fiercely loyal to Ha

ders," she said, her

asked, clutchin

you need to be cleaned before you

finger toward the d

ng, fogging the mirrors. The air was thick with

" she co

at the rising steam. "And the chemi

t.

otesque map of scars and protruding bones, a t

d into t

sca

sound was swallowe

throat, scrubbing my skin raw until the water turned pin

ing I was washing down the drain was the last, fool