“It’s okay,” Sam said. “It’s—”

His throat seized and choked off any sound. He couldn’t speak.

He couldn’t breathe.

Sam clutched at his throat. He felt invisible hands wrapped around his neck, steel fingers choking off his air. He slapped and pried at the fingers, and all the while Little Pete screeched and flapped his arms like a bird trying to fly.

Little Pete shrieked.

Edilio and Quinn were up and running.

Sam felt blood in his eyes, darkening his vision. His heart pounded. His lungs convulsed, sucking on nothing.

“Petey, Petey, it’s all right,” Astrid said, soothing her brother, stroking his head, cuddling him against her. Her eyes were desperate with fear. “Window seat, Petey. Window seat, window seat, window seat.”

Sam staggered into the desk.

Astrid fumbled for Little Pete’s Game Boy. She turned it on.

“What’s happening?” Quinn yelled.

“He heard a loud noise,” Astrid yelled. “It startled him. When he’s scared, he freaks. It’s okay, Petey, it’s okay, I’m here. Here’s your game.”

Sam wanted to yell that it was not okay, that he was choking, but he couldn’t make a sound. His head was swimming.

“Hey, Sam, what are you doing?” Quinn demanded.

“He’s choking!” Edilio said.

“Can’t you shut that stupid kid up?” Quinn yelled.

“He won’t stop until everyone is calm,” Astrid said through gritted teeth. “Window seat, Petey, go to your window seat.”

Sam fell to one knee.

This was crazy.

He was going to die.

Fear took hold of him.

His world was going black.

His hands, palm out, pushed at nothing.

Suddenly there was a brilliant flash of light.

It was as if a small star had gone supernova in the plant manager’s office.

Sam fell, unconscious.

Gone, Chapter 12