A burning pain shot through Valerie's chest and she jolted upright in her cot. She couldn't catch her breath as she felt the air get squeezed out of her lungs. Her chest went numb and her whole body shook. Her quivering hands reached for her imparter, but only succeeded in knocking it to the floor. Her throat tightened and a shadow reared up in her head. It was too late. Her eyes turned black and she started to convulse, flopping back onto the cot.

Bullhorn leapt up from his spot in the corner and started screaming.

As her vision went dark, Valerie saw Elwin burst out of his office, yelling into his imparter. Then everything faded to black.
————
"Valerie." The soft voice floated lazily through her dark mind, illuminating the solid darkness for a single moment. "Valerie." The voice was louder this time, the light brighter.

She snatched at it, cradling the precious glimmer close to her chest where it was the darkest.

"Valerie!" A cyclone of light accompanied the shout and the world crashed back into place around her.

She shot up, nearly launching herself off the cot. She breathed heavily, sweat dripping down her back.

Someone squeezed her shoulders. "It's okay Valerie. Just breathe." The voice was familiar, but her head was spinning too much for her to process who it was. Blurry silhouettes surrounded her, too fuzzy to identify. Her heart was racing as she tried to calm the reeling shadows.

Someone crouched in front of her.

Finally, Grady's worried face came into focus.
Valerie collapsed into his arms, still panting, holding back hot tears.

He held her tight, keeping her steady. He was the only thing in the room that wasn't spinning.

"It's okay. You're safe. It'll pass." His calm voice helped to ease her aching head and pounding heart.

Another pair of arms wrapped around her from behind. "It's okay, baby." Edaline's soothing voice tamed the roiling shadows in Valerie's mind. Her breathing slowed.

"That's it. Just breathe." Edaline started rubbing Valerie's back.

Valerie leaned into the couple's embrace, absorbing the warmth and letting it drive back the empty numbness. Finally, she pulled away and examined the faces of those gathered around the healing center.

The Vackers were grouped on one side of the room, Fitz  holding Biana's hand.

Dex and his mom, Juline, were under the three pictures on the wall. Juline squeezed Dex's shoulders.

Lihn, Keefe, and Sophie stood in an awkward group directly in front of her.

Wylie stood by himself in the corner.

Forkle, Granite, Wraith, and Blur stayed back, slightly in the shadows.

"Are you okay?" Dex spoke up.

Valerie met Sophie's gaze. She knew what it was like. "Yeah, I'll be fine." She tried to smile, but the Collective didn't look convinced. No one did actually.

"Do you know what happened?" Alden's voice was quieter than usual. It made sense. He wasn't overly comfortable around Valerie and her brother.

She rubbed her aching temples. "Not exactly. I know it had something to do with my echo, but I'm not sure what exactly that means."

The adults shared a concerned look.

Mr. Forkle finally stepped forward. "So, you are not aware of your actions while the echo was active?"

Valerie scrunched her brow as she considered the question. Slowly, she shook her head.

Forkle sighed, turning to the others in the room. "Would you all give us a minute."

The others exited the room, leaving Valerie alone with Mr. Forkle.

He heaved a long breath. "We need to talk."