Page 20 of Stripped Bare

“Don’t give up hope yet,” she urged.“Sometimes, it’s the only thing we have left.”

Stace tensed as she heard the hum of an engine and knew Shep and Blake were back.No more waiting.This might be the moment she finally got answers.

“Breathe,” Ally told her giving her another squeeze before stepping back and looking up into Stace’s eyes.“Just breathe.”

“Is that for me or you?”Stace said, noticing that Ally looked a little nervous as well.

“Both of us.”Ally appeared conflicted for a moment.“I can only tell you what I see as I see it.You might…hear things you don’t want to.When I’m connected, I try to stay focused and say everything I’m seeing.”

“It’s okay.I understand.I appreciate what you’re doing for me and Chloe.”

“There was no way I wouldn’t show up when Shep called and explained things,” Ally offered.

It was then Stace truly realized how much Ally cared.She couldn’t imagine what it must be like to do what Ally could do.Touch something and form a connection with a stranger.Ally called it both a blessing and a curse.Stace hoped today was more of a blessing.

Ally gave her hand one more squeeze before letting it go.“Ready?”

“As ready as I can be,” Stace replied as they walked out the door toward where Shep and Blake were getting out of the cars.

Both men immediately headed toward them.Stace watched Blake wrap his arms around Ally and pull her close then startled when Shep did the same to her.It felt right, though.

“You okay?”he whispered.

She nodded though she knew he felt the shaking she couldn’t control.He hugged her tighter, one hand stroking up and down her spine in a soothing manner.For a moment, they all just stood on the porch looking at Chloe’s little compact.Finally, Blake took Ally’s hand and led her off the porch toward where they’d parked the car.

“How does this work?”Stace quietly asked Shep.

“Ally will do her best to form a connection with your sister,” Shep said.“She can do this with anything your sister has touched, but she wants to form as strong a connection as she can, so she wants to use the last thing we know of Chloe touched.The main thing is, whatever she sees or doesn’t see, no one can touch her, or there’s a high probability it will break any connection she’s able to make.”

Stace watched as Blake opened the car door and noticed how Ally slipped onto the seat without touching anything.Ally closed her eyes and appeared to take a deep breath.

“Let’s move closer,” Shep said, taking her hand.They both moved to the car, standing inches from where Ally now sat.Stace had never held hands so much in her life.

She stared at what was happening in her sister’s car, entranced.One of Ally’s hands hovered over the steering wheel while she held the other out for the keys Blake held in his hands.Her eyes were still closed, and Stace realized Blake had been waiting for Ally’s nod that she was ready.Stace watched as the keys dropped from Blake’s hand and landed in Ally’s.The keys hit Ally’s palm the same second her hand closed on the wheel, and Stace couldn’t have torn her eyes away if she’d needed to.

“She’s made a connection,” Shep whispered.

“Is it Chloe?”

“What do you see?”Blake asked, waving them to be quiet.Stace clung to Shep.Her heart felt as if it were in her throat when Ally spoke.

“She’s in a room.It’s closed in.Small but crowded.A man is there.She’s afraid of him.No, that’s wrong.She’s intimidated by him.”Ally shook her head, concentrating.

“What do you expect?”Ally yelled, but somehow, Stace knew those were Chloe’s words.Ally’s next words confirmed it.“I’m a nursing student not a doctor.These people need a doctor.I don’t know what’s wrong.I don’t know what to do.They need fresh air.They need to be bathed.I can’t do it all myself.”

Ally took a deep breath, shaking her head as she seemed to be glancing around some place none of them could see.“There are at least twenty-five people with her.Some of them are children.They’re sick, very sick.Fever.The heat is from fever.It surrounds her.Whatever they have she’s getting it, as well.She’s tired, exhausted, and now, she’s running a fever, too.They keep spreading it back and forth.As soon as she gets one fever-free another one has it.She can’t seem to keep ahead of whatever they’re passing.”

“Where is she?Are there any windows?”Shep asked, and Stace nodded, though Ally’s eyes were still tightly shut.

“A cabin.They’re in a cabin.He knows.He knows she’s getting sick.He touches her forehead.He’s cursing.He’s mad.Furious.Yelling.He’s worried about her.He’s carrying her out of the cabin.It’s in the middle of a heavily wooded area.Trees everywhere.Thick with trees.Cabins.So many cabins.Can’t focus.So hot.Hard to breathe.So hot.”

Ally panted, and Stace had to cover her mouth to keep from crying out.That was Chloe Ally was channeling.

“Find them, Ally.Look around.Remember everything you see,” Blake urged.

“He’s taking her to another cabin.The air.”Ally shook her head.“His cabin.His bed.Hot.Too hot.Can’t breathe.Water.Please.Clothes.His hands.Stripping.Air.There’s cool air.He’s trying to break her fever.He’s…” Her eyes flew open, pupils blown wide as she stared at something in fear.“He sees me.No.No!”

Ally screamed, and Stace moved without thinking, grabbing Ally’s hand to offer comfort.Ally jerked at her touch while Shep and Blake both called out behind her.Shep pulled Stace away, but it was too late.Ally jerked again then passed out cold.Blake cursed then moved in and scooped up his fiancée before heading toward the house.

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