Chapter 27

Samantha noticed something was off and quickly moved to stand in front of Nicholas, her voice soft and calming. "Nick? What's going on? Don't be scared, okay? I'm here with you. You've got nothing to be afraid of. I've got you." "Gun... blood..." Nicholas suddenly freaked out like he was thrown back into some horrific memory—his eyes rolled up, and his hands clenched so tight his knuckles popped. Her wrist was being crushed, hurting like hell, but Samantha didn't flinch. She racked her brain—could it be that folk song from that F-country town she'd just absentmindedly hummed? Is that what set him off like this? "No... no!" Nicholas was shaking all over now, his eyes wide in panic, completely lost in the grip of some terrifying flashback. Samantha tried her best to calm him, but he looked like someone drowning, desperately thrashing. Her chest tightened with guilt. She wrapped her arms around his head, pulling it against her chest. Her voice, soft and soothing like a stream, whispered b