Every one of my steps plucked at my nerves relentlessly, but I had no idea if I was headed in the right direction toward the door. The radius I could see through all looked the same, and I had the sudden terrifying thought of wandering the gym all night looking for the exit.

Because my light was shrinking. The dying flame brought the darkness closer and choked it down my throat. I suddenly couldn't breathe and had to stop, readjust my grip on Seph, and center myself enough to ...