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I ran for the balcony , the last wall, and found the pictures were pasted to the glass I ripped pieces off in long tears that e, one strip at a tiood hand could free After I’d ruined that I would throw everything Nathaniel owned into the sea, all of it--destroying even sorabbed a fistful of his ras from where I’d already started a tear and ripped it sideways like I was opening up a door--when I saw a figure, tied to the railing outside

What had been crazed became frantic "Rory--help o to the sea--"

"He’s out there!" I fought back,as Idown at me orried eyes "I saw him, Asher’s out there!"

Hal releasedhiht run for it, and peered through a tear "There is a man out there--"

"It’s hirab another map away "He’s out there!"

Rory frowned, but joined in when Hal did We unwrapped thelike a present until we found the door’s latch Pulling together, we ed to slide it open over the remnants of the ust of wet air, trapped between rain and mist, blew in and swept all the papers I’d torn aside like leaves Asher faced out like an oceanic scarecrow The suit I’d seen his like he s at both his hands and feet

"Asher?" I reached out for him to try to pull him back His skin was cold and clammy I instinctively ran my hand up his throat to feel for his pulse It was present, but slow

"This could just be a diversion," Rory warned

"Give her time," said Hal

I pulled him back as far as I could His wrists were rahere the ties had chafed, and there was a dressing over his left hand, some wound covered up with a bloody towel "What did he do to you?" I tried to hold him aardly fro that can cut him free Hurry!"

While they searched Nathaniel’s room, I stroked wet hair back froed back into hi to hold hiht by a tall wave, and he started to slip through my arms "Please please please be okay I can’t do all this without you I love you Please be okay" I held hiht pop

Hal’s strong ar away at the ties with a rooh I was almost in the way, I wouldn’t move, I needed to be there for when he woke up, so he could seeto be fine Rorylimply free "Honey, wake up Be okay"

He shifted From the Asher that I and others knew to Hector, the doctor I worked with His skin went froed, cheekbones suddenlyinto place

"What the fuck?" Rory said, and Hal let him drop a few inches in surprise

"It’s okay!" I looked to Rory "Keep cutting Please!"

Rory looked froh at a slower pace

"Asher--it’s me You’re safe now"

His eyes fluttered open and he held up his injured hand weakly "¿Dónde está?"

I knew enough Spanish by now to knoas asking where Nathaniel was "I don’t know"

He took in his own condition, legs still lashed, and then looked atto him to offer him whatever protection from the weather I could His free hand wrapped around me, bound up with dried blood "Are you okay?" I whispered, pressed aardly against his chest, half hugging hi Hal

"I will be Are you?"

I nodded Everything was going to be all right now Soered backward, a foot set free, and pulled ht you were gone"

"Me too" It was raining in earnest nohich was good, because it hid ainstand set Asher loose He wisely waited to change back until then, as Rory still held the knife at the ready "I know I have a lot to explain," Asher said, taking all of our group in