My heart stopped.

The helicopter lurched violently as a sudden explosion rocked the sky outside.

A military attack helicopter swept past, its searchlight blinding the cabin.

“This is the United States Army!” a voice boomed from the speaker outside.

“Land the aircraft immediately!”

Patricia lost her footing as the helicopter tilted.

The pink bundle slipped from her grip, falling toward the open door.

I lunged forward, my arms outstretched.

My fingers caught the edge of the blanket just as it cleared the threshold.

I pulled the bundle back into my chest, falling onto the metal floor.

I held it tight, my eyes closed.

But as I pulled the blanket away to look at her face, my heart shattered.

It was empty.

Nothing but a bundle of clothes.

Patricia laughed, a wild, hysterical sound that was cut short as the helicopter took a sharp dive.

“She’s not here, Morgan,” she screamed over the wind.

“She was never here.”

The helicopter began to spin out of control, the ground rushing up to meet us.

The searchlight of the military escort flashed through the cabin.