Chapter 60

Neither did Gideon.

* * * *

Jesse opened his eyes and the pain was gone.

He blinked. His eyelids responded.

He wiggled his toes.

He wiggled his fingers.

Where’s Gideon?

“What happened? Where am I?”

“Shh, Jesse.”

Jesse turned his head to see Michelle sitting by his bed. She looked haggard and old. Older than anything he had ever seen. She was ancient like a forgotten goddess.

“Where’s Gideon?”

“He’s not here.”

“Where’s Emma?”

“I’m sorry, Jesse. She didn’t make it.”

“What do you mean?”

“They took her. She’s gone.”

“Gone? She can’t be gone. Gone where?”

“Just gone.” She felt his forehead with the back of her hand, then pushed the hair from his brow. It was a strange caress, like he was a child, or seemed like a child to her.

“Where’s Gideon?” Jesse’s nose tickled with the promise of tears, but he wasn’t going to cry in front of her.

“I’m so sorry, Jesse. Please forgive me.”