Seba

me lukewarm. My hand twitched, as if maybe I would grab it

ed tentatively, "we all

e w

on," the older rep went on, voice d

oked me.

ising his eyes from his screen. I sank back in t

rtably. "They're off

ogram," the ol

. "I'm not

.. a wellness retreat. Therapy and isolation. We place you with a

ugh. "Sounds like ex

ation's running amok and sponsors are dropping off. Your tem

t need

olded his arms. "It's not what you want, believe me. It's a liability. If you ever hope to co

shipping me off t

down the table toward

ble checking that I'd spelled it rig

"It's small, quiet and off season training with

There was th

what? Them? The

ble. I wanted to scream. I wanted to tell them I was fine, t

t. I envisioned my hands transforming a

e page. "Remote house. Mountain air

looked directly at him. "

Mark spoke softly, "They'll cancel yo

en, all the blood and broken bones, all the damn hours on th

tered a little. The paper trembled in

l, I was frightened. And if I was honest, which

on the table an

l do

haled.

" I said, my voice l

e dis

...

too silent. First class, but I hardly took note of the seat. My mind wasn't there. It wa

with the signs of early dusk. I tried to shut my eyes, just for a s

nning. B

sed beneath my skin. My lungs scalded, my legs ran faster than they ought. Trees whi

ddenly, there was a sound. A rumbling, guttural growl. Not quite h

rept up my spine, crawled across my ribs, until I was

and saw a reflec

ng like mine. It was gold, b

ly jumpe

nails had made bloody crescents in my palms. The flight attendant caug

hands against my jeans and tried to breathe. This was occurring too often.

erived pleasure from it. As if some switch within me longe

against the window an

. Only the hollow p