ra's

ic and the rhythmic, hollow beeping o

to move

t the signal went nowh

nic tightened its

hair by the bed, hi

te suit was wrinkled

eath hitched, hi

hed, surging forwa

nk G

ck," I

e fracture," he said,

h extensive therapy,

gh

e. My f

o

police," I

went

s hand back

g into something cold and authoritative, yet laced

I said, hot tears escapin

oing it. Sierra, if it were anyone else, anyone, I'd have them skinned alive for touching you. You know I would. But it's

at him in

othetical survival ove

s," I said, my voice

" he

n't a

s an

tage is gone. It was an accident. You fell. That's what happene

as

ased th

rased

erase

se her,"

the family," he

g you from sca

ed for

oing?" I asked,

, sedated," he said, st

there when she wake

lyzed wife in a hospital bed to go hold

sed m

ive years, I didn't pra

he strength to