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"He co off her chin "Yes"

"He took you in, cared for you He made you feel that you were not alone"

Alicia’s voice was barely more than a whisper "Yes"

"Do you see? That’s why I’ive in, not in your heart"

"But I did"

"No, sister I knohat it’s like to be alone To be outside the walls But that’s over now" Without breaking Alicia’s gaze, Amy lifted her voice to the asseuns down This woman is a friend"

"Hold your positions," Peter commanded

Amy swiveled her face toward him "Peter, didn’t you hear me? She’s with us"

"I need you to step away from the prisoner"

In confusion, Amy looked back at Alicia, then at Peter once more

"It’s okay," Alicia said "Do as he says"

"Lish--"

"He’s only doing what he has to You really need to back away now"

An uncertain ot to her feet Another pause, her expression tentative, and she backed away Alicia dropped her head

Peter said, "Colonel, go ahead"

Henneman approached Alicia froloves; in his hands was a metal rod wrapped with copper wire, one end connected by a long cord to the generator powering the lights As the tip of the rod ht, her shoulders pulled back and her chest thrust forward, as if she’d been impaled She made no sound at all For a few seconds she stayed that way, every muscle taut as wire Then the air let out of her and she toppled face-first into the dirt

"Is she out?"

Henneed Alicia’s ribs with the toe of his boot "Looks like it"