owl shattered. The chandelier above us swung

pulling her close, shielding her with his

like when I'd stood at my parents' grav

opped as abrup

His voice was thick with concern. His h

, whimpering. "I

ic turned to me. "Eleanor? Are you...

y's on my team. My responsibility." He

u just... live here." He shrugged.

es felt hollow. My fa

d up a piece, examining its jagged edge

ir raid siren. A guttural scream

ife. "Hopkins, report! Chemical p

his gear, his face grim. "Cassid

h you." My voic

ments were fluid. Effortless. Despite the tremor, despite

s, Eleanor. You'll just get in

t his. There was no sof

c's arm. "Maybe she can help, Cedric. We need all

uctantly. "Fine. But stay beh

al. Smoke. The acrid smell of chemicals

her mouth. She swayed. The raw brut

ric's chest. He wrapped an arm around her, co

ting mine. "See, Eleanor? This isn't wher

. I didn't flin

once scanning recipes, now spotted survivors. I worked with a quiet efficiency. I had been trained fo

rd a medic say to a fire

r eyes narrowed. A sha

r bottle. "Here, Eleanor. You look

as on a trapped child. Th

voice was sharp

hands were alrea

felt the cold water hit my ba