Heat rolled in thick, suffocating waves through the observation room. The air no longer moved. Sweat slicked Kristen’s skin and dampened the loose strands of hair at her neck. Her mouth was dry, beyond thirst now, past simple need. Every breath scraped like sand. They’d said it was a short rest, but that was a lie.
At first, it had felt like relief. They were giving them a break. Then time ticked by and the room grew increasingly uncomfortable. The lights brightened without warning. The mirrored walls vanished into black reflections. The room felt smaller than it had moments before. The walls weren’t moving anymore. Her scent was.
It poured off her in slow, relentless waves, warm, sweet, and commanding. She swayed on her feet, vision blurring at the edges. For a heartbeat, she wasn’t in
