“Calm your fears, Emily Renzi.”
The man in the white jacket is speaking to me directly this time. His voice is soft and welcoming, but the heavy flapping behind him distracts me and the raven on his shoulder is regarding me like prey. He holds out his hand, and the flapping grows louder, pounding in my ears. My legs move underneath me without warning, but before I can go any distance, the man claps his hands and the bats surround me.
“Do not be afraid, Emily Renzi. We do not seek to hurt you.”
I scream, the fear that always rises in me completely taking over. I cover my face with my arms, feeling their fleshy wings brush against my skin and hair. Their spiny fingers try to grip me as they make to land, but I suddenly surge into a wall in front of me. The force of hitting it knocks me do
