**Katherine's POV**

Mara's breathing was still wrong.

We were in the lounge Ben had put us in, the door shut, the corridor noise cut away. She sat curled into the corner of the sofa with her arms around her middle like she was holding something in place. Every time I thought the crying had emptied out, another wave hit.

"You have to help me," she said. "Please. I can't - if they lock this in, I can't."

"Help you with what? Say it plainly."

She wiped her face with the heel of her hand and looked past me instead of at me. "Just stop them. Talk to Mum. Talk to...