“Ashlee?” Christian whispered faintly. I had no idea how much time had passed, for everything seemed so blurry, so muddled, yet all so natural, all at once.

This was not a good sign. I felt… different, somehow. Like I was battling demons of my own in the midst of all of Christian’s pain, darkness, and h*ll.

Whatever parasite had latched onto me, whatever spot of filthy vermin, I just could not tolerate it.

“Christian, I really ...