Chapter 19

• I felt hands grip my upper arms, and a strangled scream escaped my throat. Fear is a powerful force. I had never experienced it in its full intensity before. It cripples the mind, clouds the senses, and strips away our humanity, leaving only the raw instinct to survive.
• I didn’t look into the eyes of the person who grabbed me; I didn’t want to. My scream tore through the air as I lashed out, using the last remnants of my strength to kick, punch, and claw at them. When their hands finally released me and I fell to the sidewalk, I looked up.
• Kieran and Ethan stared down at me, horrified, as if I were a wild animal on a rampage. Their expressions shifted as they took in the damage to my face. I could see horror, fury, disbelief, and agony play across their features. For a fleeting moment, I felt a sense of safety and considered throwing myself into their arms, sobbing out my ordeal.