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"No," Josie finally forces herself to say, her brain struggling to form even that single word. "No."
Nyla looks around the room with a glare, her posture straight and defiant.
"No," Josephine repeats, trying to sit up with shaky arms but failing.
A death eater holds Nyla's arm, but as soon as Nyla sees Josie, she shoves the death eater off and runs to her.
"Oh Merlin," Nyla gasps, falling to the ground beside her and cupping her cheek.
Josie's face feels sticky with tears.
Nyla's eyes are filled with worry as she analyzes her face.
Then Nyla shifts in front of her, blocking her from the others. Protecting her.
Josephine shakes her head and tries to force herself up again.
"Don't give him what he wants," Nyla whispers.
All Josie can do is shake her head, as if it is a dream, and simply shaking her head will wake her up.
Her body feels shaky still. All she wants is to feel normal again. But if anything, she feels sick, like she needs to throw up. Her hair sticks to her face, and her arm throbs.
Nyla glances down at her arm, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the blood.
But there is nothing Nyla can do at the moment. They both realize it at the same time, a look of rage and sadness crossing Nyla's face.
"I'm sorry," Josie mumbles. Her brain still feels sluggish and slow, as if she has forgotten all words.
Nyla shakes her head. "Stop. Focus on something in your mind. Keep a memory there—it will help."
Josephine wonders when they got Nyla. How did they even get her?
If they have her, does that mean her other friends are here too?
Oh, Merlin.
"Grab her," Tom mutters. The Death Eaters seize her aunt.
"Wait, wait—" Josephine tries to force herself up. This time, she manages to sit up, her breathing heavy. She doesn't have a chance to follow Nyla's advice, to focus on anything other than the blinding panic shooting through her.
Nyla is dragged a few feet away before being forced to the floor. She gives Josephine a look.
It isn't very comforting.
"Please," Josie says, looking at Tom.
Tom.
She hates him, she's grateful to him, yet she hates him.
The hate hasn't been there often, only now as her aunt is forced to the floor.
