e Spar

from the unbearable heat and the acrid fumes. I stumbled, desperate, pushing through the inferno, trying to find an escape. The b

window. It was my only option. I crawled towards it, the flo

de, in the front yard, holding Max. And Isabelle, clinging

, her voice carrying clearly through the night. "It was just like when we w

tightly around her. "Shh, Isabelle, it's

ense, profound emptiness. It was the moment I realized I truly didn't care anymore

ce. I wouldn't wait for anyone. I wouldn't hope for anyone

elief. Below, the ground looked impossibly far. But there was no

en I j

d. Pain exploded through my body, a thousand shards of glass tearing through

und, his eyes wide with horror as he saw me. He dropped Max

knelt beside me, his hands ho

f blood choked me. My vision s

es and pains, every joint, every muscle screaming in protest. Holden was there, sl

haunted eyes. He reached for my hand, his grip surprisingly

owly but firmly. The cont

Max was right there, whimpering. It was instinct. Why didn't you scream? Why d

oint, Holden?" My voice was a dry, rasping whisper. "You we

He realized, then, the finality in m

don't expect your protection. I don

e glanced at the screen, then at me,

devoid of emotion. "She

te. I promise. I'll make it up to you. We can go to your m

w. I felt a cold, bitter laugh rise in my throat

ed. "But I thought

errupted, my voice flat,

ten my mother's death anniversary, conflated it with Isabelle's birthday, and then offered i

react, to scream, to lash out. But I just stared a

chilling smile touching my lips. "Go.

ut of the room, leaving me alone once more. The door c