“9?” someone gasped. I agreed, that seemed like so many people to be eliminated all at once! “9,” Nathan confirmed. “When you are eliminated, you are to pack your bags and immediately vacate the premises. There will be cars waiting to escort you home. There will be no arguments or reconsideratio

That night, my cold had healed enough that I could finally be reunited with Elva. I ran to her, and she ran to me. When she came close, I scooped her up into my arms and held her. Her arms came around my neck and she held me right back. “I missed you, Elva. So much.” “I missed you, Mommy.” Mar

I worried about Elva all day, about her abilities and the dangers that those might bring. I was so distracted with my thoughts that I didn’t notice Elva was beginning to not feel well until she took my hand and I felt how clammy her palms were. “Are you not feeling well, Elva?” I pressed the back

Nicholas As I watched, Piper seemed to crumble in on herself. The guilt and the worry pushed down on her shoulders and made her small. It didn’t suit her. She was strong, a fighter, yet fear for Elva tore straight through her. I had known the child a few short weeks, and already I was in agony,

When I awoke, I was surprised to find myself in my own bed, while the physician tended to Elva beside me. I looked around the room, but Nicholas was gone. I wondered how long he stayed. Likely not for very long. He did dislike me, after all. Still, he had been kind to stay at all, even with all