I needed to escape. The fear clawing at my throat prevented the building scream from escaping. My arm was broken, but I felt the torn muscles begin their painful struggle to reattach themselves. I always healed quickly—a fact that my brother had always teased me about since I was always so clumsy.

“The Goddess had to look out for you somehow, or you’d have never made it this far, sis.”

I choked back a cry at the thought of my little brother. He would blame himself if ...