Her head felt impossibly heavy, the van spinning around her in slow, warped motion. The world tilted and twisted, and Santiago's voice, once commanding and clear, now seemed distant, echoing through a thickening fog of heat and pain. "Daniella… stay with me…"
Her grip slackened on the wheel. The vehicle wobbled uncontrollably. Panic flared bright and hot as the van veered dangerously near the shoulder, tires skidding on the asphalt, sparks spraying from the edge of the road. Santiago's hands shot forward instinctively, bracing her against the chaos even as he fought to keep the van steady, but she couldn't hold herself upright any longer.
