Somewhere, far from the crash and the lakeweed dragging down the dead.

A child’s scream. Raw. Torn from the ribs.

A man’s silhouette rose in the light, hands trembling and mouth set hard.

Alec.

In his palms, a burning shape. White and pulsing, like something not meant for flesh.

He whispered something, but the words withered before they reached the boy’s ears.

Then he pressed it to the child’s chest.

Light exploded. The boy arched.

The scream broke Alec’s heart.