Twenty Three - I

Charlotte claps a hand over her mouth as she gazes at the body laying on the floor, exchanging a look with Jeanne.

"Is the breaking complete?" Jeanne asks, peering at the face.

"Yes. You may leave," the witch calmly responds, exiting the room.

Conrad rises from her seat, her entire body shaking with the effort of it.

"I'm going to fall," she mumbles, and Charlotte immediately catches her, hauling her back up.

"Thank you," she mumbles, slowly testing if she can put weight onto either, or both, of her feet.

After a minute or two, she can, and Jeanne continues to force some of the fizzy drink she had brought into her mouth, convincing her that it would help to make her blood sugars level out and then get her energy back.

Conrad slowly moves away from Charlotte, staring at the heap Atlas is laying in.

"Fucker," she mutters, stepping over him.

She pauses to look at Meg, who looks back at her, her eyes wide and fearful.

Meg opens her mouth for a second and then closes it.

"Goodbye," Conrad