Minutes stretched into an eternity. My phone buzzed again, this time a call. Jess. I answered.
"Katie! Thank god!" Her voice was a rush of relief, but also laced with an underlying frantic energy. "Where are you? What happened?"
"Long story. No gas. Miles from anything," I said, my voice hoarse. "I just… I needed to get away."
"From him?" Jess asked, her voice softer now.
I hesitated. "From… the memory. From the fear. From everything." My gaze drifted to the passenger seat, where the discarded elf tunic lay. "I don't know, Jess. It just… it all blurred." I doubt it will be okay. I messed up.
"It's okay, Katie," Jess said gently. "Marcus and I figured. Look, stay put. We're on our way. Can you tell me what road you're on? Any landmarks?"
I peered through the windshield. "There's an o
