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Standing before him, Sara dropped to her knees

"Oh, thank God," she said

Hollis ith her; the tere barefoot, soaked to the bone

"We were co to see you when they attacked," Hollis explained "We hid in the river"

Pim lifted the children out and cli "Thank God, thank God" She knelt and drew the girls into her arms "You’re safe My babies are safe"

Caleb’s relief melted away He realized as about to happen

"Kate," Sara yelled "Co

"Kate?"

Hollis looked at Caleb The youngeron his feet, the blood draining froht collapse

"Sara, come here," Hollis said

"Kate?" Her voice was frantic "Kate, corabbed her around the waist

"Kate! You answer me!"

"She’s not in the hardbox, Sara"

Sara thrashed in his aro Kate!"

"She’s gone, Sara Our Kate is gone"

"Don’t say that! Kate, I’th left her; she dropped to her knees, Hollis still holding her around the waist "Oh, God," she one She’s gone"

"Please, no Not her"

"Our little girl is gone"

Sara lifted her face to the heavens Then she began to howl

--

The light was soft and featureless; loet clouds blotted the sun Peter lifted Ao bay and put a blanket over her A bit of color had flowed back into her face; her eyes were closed, though it seeht, as if herin a current, the banks of the world flowing past