Calling

don’t know who. I was crying and shaking so hard I couldn’t see, couldn’t hear, couldn’t think.

his lips moving. “It’s okay.”
He let go.
I clawed the air, screaming.
I didn’t even see him drop. The helicopter banked and I caught only a blur of treetops spinning past and when I looked around, there was no Rafe. No sign of him at all.

Hold on!” I shouted to Rafe.
“It’s okay,” he said, and I wasn’t even sure he spoke aloud, didn’t see

It’s okay,” Rafe said again. “They’ve got you.”

Don’t look down!” I thought it was Daniel, but then realized Rafe was staring up at me.
“I’ve got you!” I shouted.
He smiled, this weirdly calm smile. “I know.”
“Just hold on!”
“I am.”
“We’ll get you down.”
“It’s okay, Maya.”
His voice was as strangely calm as his smile. My heart was thudding so hard I could barely breathe, and he just kept smiling up at me, his gaze locked on mine. Calm washed through me, slowing my heart, as if I