a thick swath of Helen?s long hair behind her shoulder so it didn?t
fall into her food.
?I think I?ve gone blind,? Helen replied, unable to chew or swallow
or see straight anymore.
?Finally,? Noel sighed as she sank into a chair across the table
from Helen. She looked as tired as Helen felt. ?Jason? Do you think
you could take her up??
?Sure,? Jason replied, and scooped Helen out of her chair. She
was suddenly very awake.
?I can walk! Really, you don?t have to carry me,? she said,
squirming in his arms.
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?Sure you can. Now hold still or I?ll drop you,? he replied with a
good-natured smile. She had no choice but to relax and let him
carry her.
When they got upstairs, Cassandra came through one of the
many doors, holding a tray stacked to overflowing with dirty
dishes, and Helen got a brief glimpse of Lucas lying in bed. She
tensed and tried to crane her head around Jason?s shoulders to get
a better look, but Cassandra shut the door.
?Is he really going to be all right?? Helen asked Jason as he
brought her into the guest room.
?Yeah,? Jason said, but he didn?t meet her eyes when he said it.
He forced an uncomfortable laugh. ?Luke?s just milking it to get
Cass to pamper him. He?ll be fine,? he said. He laid her down and
turned to go.
?I?m really sorry,? Helen called out as Jason reached the door. He
stopped uncertainly and turned to listen as Helen unburdened herself
with increasing emotion. ?I was so scared and I was running
away into the fog and then I felt really light and really cold. When I