***BLAKE***

The house felt too quiet when I pushed the iron door open. Hot air hit my face and I paused, catching my breath. Tricia sat on the couch, all folded into herself. Her eyes were defined by small slits of pain; her face had the tiredness of someone who had stopped hoping. She looked at me like I was a stranger.

Ryker had followed me inside a few steps and then stayed back. He thucked his knuckles into his pockets like a man who wanted to do something and didn't know how. He ...