Chapter 66

The man on her shoulder didn't budge. He was slumped against Claire, his head buried into the curve of her neck, warm breath brushing her skin and making it impossible for her to move. If it weren't for the wall behind her giving some support, she'd probably have been crushed to the ground already. Gritting her teeth, Claire tried to prop him up, just enough to ease the weight a little. If this went on, he wouldn't be the one passing out—she might beat him to it. "Nelson?" With him barely balanced against her, she furrowed her brows and looked his way. "What's going on with you? Can you hear me at all?" "It… hurts…" The hoarse whisper came from deep in Nelson's throat. His forehead, still pressed to her shoulder, was now damp with cold sweat, and his expression twisted, clearly in pain. He looked like he was stuck in some kind of nightmare, falling endlessly. Or maybe like someone drowning, suddenly clinging to the only thing keeping him afloat—which in this case, was Claire. He held o