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.
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Sundaym,7:30a.m.Thearmshriekedihecrampedroom.
Crayinbed,herheadheavyasifithadbeenfilledwithlead.Shereachedouttoshutthearmoff—onlytorealizeeveryjointinherbodyached,everymuscleweakandsour.Herthroatwasdryandraw,likeshe’dswallowedcrushedgss.Theairsheexhaledwasfrighteninglyhot.
Shehadafever.
Abadone.
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