Chapter 14: Chapter 14

I was shaking, and my shoulders hurt. It took me a moment to realize my eyes were clamped shut. Forcing them open, I came face to face with Dan. He was wide-eyed and mouthing words I couldn't hear. The vice on my shoulders left, and Dan's hands came up to my wrists, pulling my hands away from my ears. The screams and roar were gone, but there were sobs and crying in their place.

"Ryann," Dan choked out. "Are you okay?"

Ever so slowly, I nodded. I leaned back until I fell onto my butt and found myself sitting next to Ava. She, too, was sitting, hugging her knees to her chest and pressing her trembling lips together.

I blinked back tears. "Ava?"

She shook her head. "I'm okay," she whispered.

Dan fell to his ass beside me and pulled me into a side hug. "Don't scare me like that."

I frowned at him.

"You were completely locked down. Couldn't get you to respond."

"Sorry," I muttered.