raffic on the Long Island Expressway was grinding to a halt. It was the perf

er off the vanity mirror. The light automa

ucent almost, without the gray undertone of malnutrition. But it was her eyes that held h

then curled them into a fist. She did it again. Flexion. Extensi

favorite song. Incision. Flap. Dura. The knowledge was there. The muscle memory was there. They had taken

still

furiously on her phone screen. "This servic

screen, a chat bubble popped up. The

ttle mous

of the ulcers she'd developed during the trial. D

ut. The plastic click sounded li

e jumpy. What is wrong with

e family's favorite euphe

wed her lower lip to tremble just slightly. It was a perf

Dawn whispered. "The

as if anxiety were contagious. "Don't start this, Dawn. Not tonight. The Montgome

brushed the orange bottle of Xanax. She

sick," Dawn said, addin

ck again. "Miss Da

g her head between her knees. It wasn't entirely a lie. The proximity to Catri

" Dawn said, her voice muffled by her

wdown, Miss,"

moved tonight, and a rival firm had contracted a team to intercept. The resulting 'accide

lly. "I need to get out. I ne

ng on the highway!

steel in her voice slipped throug

blinked.

e leather armrest until her knuckles turned white. "I'm goin

at her own dress. The threa

t! We'll drop her at the estate and then you can drive me

nodded. "

g exit ramp. As the car tilted, turning away from the city, away fr

changed

nning away. She was ru