Chapter 11

• Jack stirred in the dim light, his eyes flickering open as though emerging from a deep and troubled dream. "Jack_ dear!" Ellie’s voice trembled with a mix of relief and dread as she leaned over him.
• He murmured weakly, "My head… it aches, Ellie, as if_ " His words faded into silence, and in that quiet moment she knew that the memory, as vivid as blood on stone, was still fresh in his soul.
• "You're all right now, honey. I've come here to take care of you_ I won't leave you. Poor Jack!" she soothed, her voice soft against the harsh whisper of the night.