Whenthepainpeaked,shechedherteeth.Hermindfilledwithnothingbutstubbornrefusaltolose—andElian’sprovocation,thewordsthathadhitherlikeastone:

        *Youshouldn’tbelockedbehindthatbrokenirondoor.*

        Twoweekster,athiewcallusfinallyformedalongthesideofherthumb.Themetallicgraiackgrewclearer,sharper—morereal.

        Butatthesametime,herbodywasbeingdriventoitslimit.

        Caughteverydaybetweenschoolexams,cramschoolsinXimendingandNanyangStreet,andhigh-iymuscletraining,Cra’ssleepwascrusheddowhanfourhoursanight.icsleepdeprivation,retchedtight,plusthesharptemperatureswingsofautumn—

        thebodyshe’dbeenfintoobediehsheerreasonfinallysouhearm.

        ---

        Sundaym,7:30a.m.Thearmshriekedihecrampedroom.

        Crayinbed,herheadheavyasifithadbeenfilledwithlead.Shereachedouttoshutthearmoff—onlytorealizeeveryjointinherbodyached,everymuscleweakandsour.Herthroatwasdryandraw,likeshe’dswallowedcrushedgss.Theairsheexhaledwasfrighteninglyhot.

        Shehadafever.

        Abadone.

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