“They won’t hurt you. They’re here to help keep you safe.” I sat on the bed, facing her, and tried to look as unthreatening as possible. “I’m Sara. Do you remember me?”
She stared at me for a long moment before she nodded.
I gave her a warm smile. “Good. Do you want to tell me your name?”
“E-Emma.”
I swallowed painfully. “It’s nice to meet you, Emma. I bet you must be pretty confused and scared right now, huh?”
“I-I saw you.”
“Saw me where?” I asked gently.
She swallowed and her eyes darted around the room. “You were th-there. You... talked to it.”
“Yes.”
“You killed it?”
“Yes.”
She let out a ragged sob and sagged against the wall. “This is... not real. Is it?”
The trace of hope in her small voice was almost my undoing, but I had to be strong for her. “All of this is real. I ki
