She’d forced herself to stop thinking about what had happened as she and the staff rushed to keep people alive. Over the next frantic hours, she’d seen glimpses of William, his hat pulled low, helping to clear debris from exits for the mass evacuation. No one had questioned who he was in the chaos; he appeared to be another example of a New Orleanian trying to once again rise above the horror of the hour as he helped to clear the halls and doorways for the gurneys and wheelchairs.

When the National Guard arrived, Dr. Wraf ordered all of the staff out as well. The patients were now fully in the care of the military. Shelia had run past her in the hallway, saying it was time to go. Jane told her that she’d meet her at the staging area outside the city. Jane had then grabbed Dr. Wraf, telling him she needed to check in on her own home before leaving the city. Exhausted and having heard repeatedly from staff who insisting on seeing what remained of their own properties, he’d only nodded and told her to hurry. Who knew when the next storm was coming, he’d said.

William lingered at the end of the hall.

She’d walked past him as she made her way to the underground parking garage. The storm had flooded the lower levels, but her parking space was near the exit ramp, high enough to escape the water.

“Jane,” William called out as she reached her Honda.

“I need you to stay away,” she said, holding up her hand.

I don’t like this any more than you do.

“How are you doing that?” she demanded. “How are you doing any of this?”

“Wait, can you hear me? What did you hear?”

“I don’t know if you’re throwing your voice or what—”

Can you hear this?

“Whatever it is you’re doing, stop it.”

“I swear to you I’m not meaning to do it. I’m just as shocked as you that you can hear me.”

She pressed her key fob, opening the car door and throwing in her purse.

“Just please come with me. I parked my car outside on the street. A white Jeep Cherokee. I just need some time with you to explain. Just hear me out. I think … that all this can stop.”

She looked back to him. “No one can stop a storm.”

No one can talk without speaking words either.

She winced. “Stop.”

“I don’t even know it’s happening,” William admitted. “Honestly, I can only figure this out with you. And the others. That’s why I have to talk to you. Show you Lily.”

“Lily? Who is Lily?”

“When you meet her, you’ll understand.”

She studied his weary face. “I’m not getting in a car with you.”

“That’s fine. I’ll wait for you outside. Just follow me. It’s not far.”