By the time Briony finally made it back to the studio, dawn was already breaking. Utterly exhausted, she changed into pajamas and collapsed into bed, falling

asleep almost instantly.

She had no idea how long she'd been out when a frantic knocking at the door jolted her awake.

Her eyes flew open and she stared at the familiar ceiling, breath coming quick and shallow. It took her a moment to gather her wits.

She'd been dreaming.

In the dream, she was standing above a river of blood, so vivid it made her shudder. Somewhere in the distance, an infant's cries echoed in her ears...

From outside the room, Hannah's voice rang out. "Briony? Are you awake?"

Her lashes fluttered. Briony pushed herself up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

The room spun as she stood, her body heavy and unsteady.

"Briony? Briony..." Hannah's voice grew more anxious.

"I'm coming," Briony croaked, forcing herself upright and shuffling to the door.

the door swung open, Hannah let out a

me half to death. It's ten o'clock and you still hadn't come

something had

creature of habit; she never

though, she clearly

rasped,

once-over. "You don't look fine. Are you

forehead. It did feel a little

she said. "A few days

do," Hannah insisted, placing a hand on Briony's forehead. "You've got a fever! You need

"It's too much trouble. I'll just take something

you don't want to go to the

sure. I just need

stand, Briony retreated

her in, clearly unconvinced. "There's a nasty flu going around. You really should get checked

her. Then, shifting topics, she said, "We're shutting the studio down for the year. Have finance pay everyone's salary in advance— cover twelve months-and give each person a year-end bonus of, say, twenty thousand. We'll start

blinked in shock.

those numbers,

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