e wiped the back of her hand across her mouth, trying to e

sounded like high heels and the heavy thud

er stood Jessica Cole, wearing a designer trench coat, having just rushed

the smear of blood on June's chin. The old woman ins

ut into the hallway, cursing Gage's name, callin

the hardwood. She looked down at June's chopped hair and bruised fa

amatically, playing the role of a horrified mother fo

d her lips. She asked Jessica Cole if she finally decided t

ssed under her breath, warning June to shut her mouth

ff the toxic whispering. She declared that June c

l head of security. She ordered him

mate fortress of the Becker estate, reserved only for the highest-ra

the room. They gently pulled June to

reinforced steel pillars. Outside, the blizzard raged, snow pi

ouble doors made of solid mahogany. Four guards wit

in a long passcode and leaned in for a retinal scan. A heavy mechanic

a luxury hotel, but the thick walls and steel-re

e promised that the South Wing had its own independent security

first time in days, the crushing weight on her c

rice, thanking the old w

ed her arms and told June to stay put and

ead look. She turned around and

r. The locks engaged with a loud, final c

e bedroom. A fire cracked w

She looked out at the dark, snowy night.

to a thick, warm set of pajamas. She curled up

e guards pacing in the hall outside. She

her like a tidal wave.

essed eyes flashed in her mind. Her body jerked slightly, b

y quiet. But across the est