Chapter 120

"Paired up, like oxen yoked to move as one, so onward with that burdened soul I went, as long as he-my dear, kind sir-allowed."

-Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy

"They drugged her? But why? She wouldn't have caused any trouble. This is Emma we are talking about," I said to Ronan, afraid that we got here way too late.

"I have no idea, Maxine, but she has a lot of drugs in her system, more than she should. I don't have the right potion with me. Maybe we should leave without-"

"No, we are not leaving her like that. Please go and check on Zach. Maybe he can help me with Emma. I hope he's lucid enough to walk." I tried to lift Emma off the bed. This was crazy. I wasn't strong enough to carry her through the main ward. This would raise a lot of suspicion and there were probably more staff outside too. We really couldn't do it without attracting attention right now. My great plan was falling to pieces.