I woke with a gasp and flew my hands to my collar. My heart jackhammering, I jolted upright and yanked the string on the light above my head. I'd been dreaming about my collar, had heard it snap with finality, had felt my blood pumping out of me as it stole my life and my voice. Now, as I opened the door of my closet, I realized it had been sweat pouring off me, not blood. I knew that, of course, since I was upright and walking, but the proof was still a relief.

Hendry had said ...