ad faded into hiccuping whimpers. Jim shakily got to his feet, his eyes darting from the overturned table to

muttered, rocking back

act had hinted at: those pills were worth a fortune. Later that week, they would start asking around-quietly, carefully-testing whether

st through her own front door and went straight to Helen's bedro

the back of a spoon, and dissolved it in a small glass of warm water. She

the bed, her own breath

color returned to Helen's cheeks. Her breathing deepened, beco

worry etched on her face, and her own eyes filled with sham

hand in hers. It was warm again. "It

etter. I feel... strong." She looked at Aria, a qu

the blanket. "A friend helped me get it." She woul

ia went to her own room and locked the door. The warmth and concern sh

rute force, leaving the bent table leg behind as a clear, unspoken threat. But

ger a sanctuary. It was a

cession to her grandmother's wishes. It was a strategic necessity. She had to get Helen away fr

o longer an escape.