Something broke inside her. Emmeline’s lip began to quiver, and rivers of tears began to flow freely down her face. She scrambled to her feet, banging her knee hard on the cobblestones as she did. The pain did not matter, she would not feel it for some time. She got to her feet, forced her way past the uncaring spectators, and ran. Destination did not matter. She ran. She ran down the streets of Darloque, the tears flowing freely, moving her mouth ineffectively, wanting to cry out but unable to make any sound whatsoever. She ran. It could have been an eternity, or it could have been only a few moments. She did not know, and she did not care. Time was inconsequential. As was direction. She turned a few times without knowing what she was doing or where she was going, driven by the pain and t
