Reyawokegroggily,herheadpoundinglikeadrum.

        Sheopenedhereyes.Darknesspressedinonherfromallsides.Whenshetriedtositup,shediscoveredherwristsandankleswerebound,stretchedwideinanX-shapeacrossamattress.

        "Isanyonethere?"

        Hervoicecracked,echoingintothevoid,swallowedbytheicywindseepingthroughunseencracks.Thechillsankdeepintoherbones.

        Memorybledbackinfragments:thebreakroom,Julianslumpedbeneathher,thepullofhislife-forceasshesiphonedhimdry.Thenthedoorslammingopen,Julian''ssuddenburstofstrengthasheshovedheroff.Herheadstrucksomethinghard,andeverythingwentblack.

        Thebackofherskullstillthrobbed.Shemusthavehitthecornerofatablebeforepassingout.

        Theenergyshehadstolenwasstillinsideher,restlessandunassimilated,leavingherfeverish,weak,anddizzy.

        Shetookadeepbreath,tryingtosteadytheuntamedenergyswirlinginsideher.Butwhetheritwasfrombeingunconsciousfortoolongorthefeverragingthroughher,herbodyrefusedtocooperate.Theenergywrithedlikeantsonahotiron,desperatetofindanescape,threateningtotearherapartfromwithin.

        Justonemoreminute—ifshehadheldonforonemoreminute,Julianwouldhavebeencompletelydrained,hissoulextinguished.

        Butshehadbeenfacingawayfromthedoor.Sheneversawwhoentered.AfterJulianshovedher—wherehadhegone?Wasithimwhodraggedherhere?Ortheintruder?

        Shelayboundinsilence,timestretchingunbearably,untilatlastasoundbrokethestillness:adooropening,closing,andthenfaint,deliberaterustlingjustoutside.

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