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And then, in the belly of the beast, everything became still, and a peace like she’d never felt before descended Ti, and for one endless second, she felt free

Absolutely, wonderfully, free

And then her body jerked to a halt

The ht at her ankle The ferocious hold felt as though it would shatter her bones She tried to scream but only whimpered

With ar, she felt the sky swing past her The building rushed to join it The earth was above her and then beneath her One second, she was falling; the next, swinging up Multicolored lights became streamers in the blackness

The pressure released fro solid

Not the ground Not the ground Not the ground…

A strong ar her face into solid flesh, over a racing heart She gasped for air Each breath a desperate agony Her nails dug deep Clinging to whatever—whoever—had stopped her fall

Solid

Safe

Secure

Never let go

“I’ve got you I’ve got you,” the voice murmured

Cold So cold Every muscle ached as she shook violently She burrowed deeper into the warh to feel truly safe

“It’s okay, baby It’s okay” It was a whisper that penetrated the terror holding her ot you I didn’t let you fall You’re fine You’re okay I’ve got you”