CHAPTER 32
Maddie’s eyes flew open. A hand wrapped around her upper arm and she fought against it, gripping and twisting, pressing her fingernails into the flesh while screaming at the top of her lungs. In the dark, she saw movement, a figure, a face lost in shadow, and she bucked and wrestled to free herself.
“Maddie!”
The sound of her name, exploding in the blackness of the room, shot her heart straight into her throat and she struggled to pull in breath for another scream.
“Maddie, honey, you’re okay. We’re here. You’re safe. You’re safe now, Maddie.”
Her mother’s voice.
The terror receded, melting bit by bit like a square of midnight chocolate on the tongue. She clung to the sound of her mother’s voice and began to remember where they were. She heard a click, and a little flame l
