RALPH

It felt like I was drowning in tar—heavy, choking, endless. The voice still echoed in my skull, wrapping around my thoughts like a noose. She’s ours now.

Then, out of nowhere, a hand. Warm, strong. It grabbed my arm and yanked hard.

The shadows shattered like glass.

I gasped—air tore into my lungs as I blinked up into a burst of golden light. The weight on my chest lifted. I stumbled back, coughing hard as I came to, and saw Aaron’s face tight with worry, his hand still clutching mine.

“You good?” he asked quickly, breath ragged.

“What…” I tried to speak, but my throat burned. “What the hell...