Chapter 97

• When there was no energy left within her, he pushed Dahlia's face against the tree, holding her there as splinters dug into her neck and the side of her face. The taste of blood filled her mouth as the world before her became still and blurry, deprived of air.
• "Don't worry, I'll take good care of you in Hell or wherever we go next," he whispered in her ear before yanking her head back and slamming it against the tree once more, plunging her into unconsciousness.
• Her limp body crumpled to the ground, tears streaming from her eyes. She felt like a failure—again. As she gazed up at the night sky, the stars shone down on her, and the moon beckoned her closer.