Everything froze. Her breath, her heart, her brain. Nothing worked. She couldn't get air in. Couldn't hear anything. Dimly, somewhere in the distance, she saw a figure approach and crouch in front of her. She felt the sting of a hand slapping across her face. Her eyes refocused on Cecily, who was now inches from her. Tears welled, and overflowed. She couldn't remember the last time she had cried. The words couldn't be true. Her parents... no. It didn't bear thinking about. She couldn't bear to think about it. It wasn't true. Plain and simple. She wouldn't believe it.