When Will She Be Out of Mortal Peril?

In the orphanage, Casiano cradled Alla in his arms. With the assistance of Dr. Weston, he gently lowered her onto the carpet.

Dr. Weston procured a soft hose from someone within the orphanage, using copious amounts of clear water to rinse the sulfuric acid from Alla's back. Throughout the flushing process, Alla, unconscious, could not cease her body's tremors from the pain. Seeing her in such a state, Casiano felt as though his heart was constricting, suffocating him.

A wave of guilt washed over him, compelling him to kneel once more at her side.

He lifted a pallid hand and brushed his fingers gently across her bloodless face.

What his fingertips met, however, was skin icy and devoid of warmth.

His heart stilled. The terror and fear of losing her once more, three years ago, swarmed him like a squall.

Trembling, he placed a hand under her nose, and when he could not sense her breath, his strength drained away.