“Just a sip,” Ana urges. “You haven’t eaten all day. Julian wouldn’t want this, you know that.”

The jolt of agony at the mention of his name is so strong that the cup almost slips out of my grip. Rosa grabs for it, steadying my hands, and gently, but inexorably pushes the cup toward my lips. “Come on, Nora,” she whispers, her gaze filled with sympathy. “Just drink some.”

I force myself to take a few sips. The rich, warm liquid trickles down my throat, the combined rush of sugar and caffeine chasing away some of my numb exhaustion. Feeling a fraction more alive, I glance at the window and realize with shock that it’s already dark—that I must’ve lain there for a few hours without registering the passage of time.

“Any word from Peter?” I ask, looking back at Ana and Rosa. “Did they find the wreckage?”

Rosa looks relieved that I’m talking again. “We haven’t seen him since the afternoon,” she says, and Ana nods, her eyes red-rimmed and swollen.

“Okay.” I take a few more sips of the hot chocolate and then hand the cup back to Ana. “Thank you.”

“Can I get you something to eat?” Ana asks hopefully. “A sandwich perhaps, or some fruit?”

My stomach roils at the thought of food, but I know that I need to eat something. I can’t die alongside Julian, no matter how appealing that option seems at the moment. “Yes, please.” My voice sounds strained. “Just a piece of toast with cheese, if you don’t mind.”

Jumping off the bed, Rosa gives me a huge, approving smile. “There we go. See, Ana, I told you she’s a fighter.” And before I can change my mind about the meal, she runs out of the room to grab the food.

“I’m going to shower,” I tell Ana, getting up as well. All of a sudden, I have a strong urge to be alone—to be away from the smothering concern I see on Ana’s face. My body feels cold and brittle, like an icicle that might shatter at any moment, and my eyes are burning with unshed tears.

Just focus on breathing. Just one tiny breath after another.

“Of course, child.” Ana gives me a kind, weary smile. “You go right ahead. The food will be waiting for you when you come out.”

And as I make my escape into the bathroom, I see her quietly slipping out of the room.

“Nora! Oh my God, Nora!”

Rosa’s screams and frantic knocking on the bathroom door startle me out of my numb, almost catatonic state. I have no idea how long I’ve been standing under the hot spray, but I immediately jump out. Then, wrapping a towel around myself, I race to the door, my wet feet sliding on cold tiles.

My heart hammering in my throat, I yank open the door. “What is it?”

“He’s alive!” Rosa’s scream nearly deafens me with its high-pitched volume. “Nora, Julian is alive!”

“Alive?” For a moment, I can’t process what she’s saying, my brain sluggish from hunger and grief. “Julian is alive?”