All of my oxygen expelled from my lungs. I sat squeezing my knees to my chest, trying to force air back in. I had to get out of here, out of this room, out of this house. Standing up, I drew in a short, ragged breath. Era still talked in my ear, but I could no longer hear her over my panic.

I fumbled with the lock on the door and tore it open, not bothering to close it behind me. I burst inside the movie room and found Derek lounged on the couch with yet another ...