Chapter 100 Crisis

"What happened?" he asked, his voice quieter now, trying to keep himself composed despite the growing tension in his chest.

The moment he got within reach, Claire let out a broken sob and collapsed forward, wrapping her arms around his torso, burying her face into his chest. It was so sudden that Nate almost took a step back out of instinct, but he stopped himself. He could feel her body trembling against him, her breath coming out in ragged, uneven gasps.

For a brief second, he thought about pushing her away. He didn't trust Claire, and everything in his gut told him not to get involved. But she was clinging to him so tightly, her fingers digging into his back, and he found himself hesitating.

It's just a hug, he reasoned. Nothing more.

But he couldn't have been more wrong.