Her vision was still swimming in darkness. Her breath came in ragged bursts, and her legs felt so weak she doubted she could stand without someone holding her up.

“Don’t move yet. Just stay put,” that familiar voice told her, footsteps fading as they walked away.

Valerie squeezed her eyes shut, dragging in a long breath to calm the panic clawing at her chest. Sweat slicked her forehead and neck. She couldn’t tell if this was exhaustion from running or something worse. She was already ...