I caught him, putting his arm around my shoulder.

Victoria took his other side.

He was incredibly light, as if he had been fading away for months.

“Slowly,” I said.

We moved toward the door.

The hallway was quiet.

We began to walk back toward the service exit.

Every step seemed to take an eternity.

Alexander’s breathing was heavy in my ear.

“Almost there,” Victoria whispered.

We reached the heavy metal door that led back to the driveway.

The cold air hit us as Victoria pushed it open.

The rain was still falling.

Suddenly, the bright lights of the driveway flooded the area.

The headlights of a sleek black sedan blinded us.

The car engine idled with a deep, low growl.

The door of the sedan opened.

A figure stepped out into the rain, holding a large black umbrella.

It was Julian.

He was wearing a tailored tuxedo, his hair perfectly styled.

He looked at us with a cold, calm smile.

“Going somewhere?” Julian asked.

I froze, holding Alexander tightly.

“Let him go, Julian,” I said.

Julian took a step forward, the light from the car highlighting his sharp features.