Jude looked around, counting.
Nine of them were still under.
Three were fighting.
One had come back.
And the shadow above them was weakening.
Then suddenly, Zoey screamed - not in pain, but in defiance.
Her hands flew to her head as if trying to hold herself together. "It's too loud! It's screaming!"
Layla grabbed her, holding her, trying to soothe. But her smile had cracked.
Jude rushed forward. "Zoey! You can come back. You remember me."
Zoey looked at him through wide, glassy eyes. "Jude…"
"Yes. That's right."
"I was…" Her voice trembled. "I kissed you… the first night. You held my hand by the fire."
He nodded. "Yes."
"And you kissed my shoulder before the rain came."
"Yes. That's real."
Tears welled in her eyes. "Then what is this?"
"A lie," Lucy said, reaching for her.