I was distantly aware of the cold of the cave and the pain in my arms. I didn't know how much time had passed since my little talk with Manny. He had fallen into a sullen silence when I'd told him that I love Tahir. It wasn't the reaction that I'd expected, but it rarely was with him.

I felt like I was floating in the darkness, but something warm was nearby, soothing the pain and keeping the cold at bay. If I really focused, I could see the glimmer of something in the ...