The mall was crowded and noisy.
Darlene looked over, and Avery seemed to feel her gaze at once. He looked sideways into hers.
He sat in his wheelchair and looked haggard, making her feel that he was someone else.
His eyes, which had always been cold and aloof, now looked exhausted. The second he saw Darlene, the emotions in his eyes changed from a moment of astonishment and disbelief to surprise and eagerness.
The police had told him it wasn't her, but it still didn't feel right. It was not until he actually saw her face that he was sure she was still alive.
He slowly tightened his hands resting on the armrests of his wheelchair, feeling that someone was squeezing his heart. For a moment, he felt suffocating.
He did not even dare to make a sound or move. The policeman was still talking on the other end of the line, yet he couldn't utter a word.