Greg's world narrowed to a single, terrifying focus. He sprinted toward Valerie, his movements swift and desperate. "Valerie, stop!" he shouted, his voice cracking with fear. At the same time, grasped Valerie's wrists, applying enough pressure to force her to let go.
Ruby's tiny body sagged, she rolled off the bed, gasping for air.
Valerie's gaze locked onto Greg's, her eyes vacant, unrecognizing. Her face was twisted, her beauty lost in a snarl.
"Valerie, snap out of it!" Greg begged, shaking her.
She pointed a quivering finger at Ruby, who sat on the floor, gasping for air. "Zoey, Zoey wants to take away my Greg, my Ruby!" Valerie's accusation hung in the air like a toxic cloud.
Her eyes blazed with a fierce, protective instinct. "I'll kill her. I'll kill her!" Valerie's voice rose, her words dripping with venom as she struggled to be free. Zoey's face on Ruby was still laughing, taunting her. "She's laughing at me! I'll kill her!!!"
