Charlie felt like the air had been knocked from his lungs the moment he saw her.
He rushed over, crouched down in front of Bonnie, and spoke in a voice tight with restraint and concern. It was barely more than a whisper, as if he were afraid even sound might hurt her.
"Bonnie…"
She turned her head slowly at the sound of his voice. Her eyes were vacant, ringed with red. For a long moment, she just stared at him. Then, as if something finally clicked, she rasped out a faint, broken word.
"Charlie…"
Charlie's heart clenched at the sound.
Before he could respond, the front doors burst open. A crowd rushed in, flooding the space with noise and blinding light.
Bonnie's long lashes trembled. Her eyes darted toward the sudden chaos. The moment she spotted the black camera in one of the crew member's hands, her entire body stiffened. Her pupils contracted, and with a sharp inhale, she quickly raised her arms to shield her face.
