My feet felt rooted to the spot, refusing to budge no matter how hard I tried to move. My body was frozen in place, as rigid as steel, as if I was trapped in a living nightmare. In a desperate bid to regain some semblance of control, I slapped myself, the sting of my palm against my cheek a jarring shock that seemed to snap me back to reality.
For a moment, my eyes cleared, and I felt a spark ignite within me. If Ezekiel's words had shaken me, I could only imagine how Lynn and the others must be feeling. I had to find them, to make sure they were safe.
"Lynn, Lumi, Keahi, Sylvaine!" I called out, my voice hoarse from fear and anxiety. But there was no response. I called out again, my voice growing more desperate, more frantic. Still, there was only silence.
