Carl’s breath was coming in ragged heaving gasps, his lungs ached as he wheezed to catch his breath. They crouched in the darkness behind a half wall to avoid detection. When he could finally speak again his voice came out in a hoarse whisper. “What are we going to tell my dad?”
Thalia’s eyes fluttered closed as she concentrated on her own breath. Though her heart rung in her ears and cramps burned into her sides, she was grateful they had made it behind the wall. “What-- You’re asking me that now?” The blue of her eyes looked even sharper as they caught the moonlight. She sighed. “But, you’re right...it’s better to get our story straight now.”


















