Chapter 10

Meanwhile, aboard the helicopter, Alice leaned quietly against the cabin wall, her profile serene in the dim light. Nick glanced back, only to be stung by the sight of her deathly pale face. "Alice, are you alright?" Alice coughed, but then she quickly forced down the pain tearing through her insides and forced a smile. "I'm fine." He frowned and studied her carefully. She was curled slightly around her abdomen, and her hands were trembling without her even noticing. When the helicopter jolted through a patch of turbulence, Alice swayed with the cabin, the movement tugging at the wounds across her back. She bit down hard on her lip as beads of cold sweat broke across her forehead. Nick keenly sensed something was wrong. "You're hurt, aren't you?" Alice tried to shake her head, but her vision suddenly went dark. Nick watched helplessly as she slumped slowly from the seat like a broken doll. His eyes widened. In three swift strides, he rushed forward and caught her firmly in