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But the world tilts, and I hit the ground.

Cold.

The floor presses through my clothes, far colder than it should be.

Everything is cold.

The air.

The ground.

“Sadie?” A hand reaches forward, pushing into my reality.

Is it him? Is the monster reaching for me?

“No!” I scramble backward, fighting my way to freedom. He won’t get me again. He can’t get me again.

My head slams into something hard, and someone yells. The room spins as cold liquid splashes onto my face. As it does, the putrid stench of alcohol fills my lungs.

The scene shifts again.

Water dripping onto my bed when it rained.

A storm I hoped would drown me so I wouldn’t hurt anymore.

“Maverick!” the man calls out.

Why is the monster calling for Maverick? Why⁠—

A shadow passes over me, and a hand reaches out to grip my shoulder.

“No!” I scream, pulling myself back away from him. He can’t get me, not again. Not ever.

“Sadie, it’s Mav. You’re safe.”

Mav.

His voice is familiar…right?

“Sadie,” he says again.

God, please don’t let the monster get me again.

“I’m here, Sadie,” Maverick says again.

Tears fill my eyes, and my entire body begins to shake. Violent trembling that rattles my teeth and makes it impossible to stand. I try to draw a deep breath, but no air can squeeze past the death-grip this panic has on me.

“I’m going to pick you up, okay? We need to move you so you don’t get stepped on again.”

I nod, and even though it makes my stomach churn, I let him lift me from the cold, wet floor. With him here, I try to breathe, but my burning lungs still find no relief.

“Shut the bar down. Early closing. And tell him that, if he ever sets foot back in my bar, I’ll break his fingers,” Maverick growls.

“You’ve got it,” the man says.

“You’re okay,” Maverick tells me as he carries me through the bar.

But all I can hear is the monster.