Melanie had a private room, and two police officers guarded the door. They knew who I was since I had handed her over to them last night. After a brief exchange, one of them accompanied us inside.

Melanie still hadn't woken up. She looked solemn.

The bandage on her head made her look even paler. If it weren’t for the beeping of the machines by her bed, you wouldn’t even have realized she was alive.

Lauren said disdainfully, "I never thought she'd end up like this. She brought it on herself.