She tried to catch her balance, but she was falling forward and there was nothing to grab on to. Her shoulder hit the concrete stair, sending pain up her arm like a powerful shock of electricity. She cried out again, and realized she was going to roll down all the stairs unless something—or someone—blocked her path. “Ow!” Her head hit the concrete. She heard alarmed screams. Hands reached out for her from the seats on both sides. But they were too late to catch her or slow her fall. “No!” Looking up as she fell, she saw Jessie standing at the top of the empty aisle, staring down at her, hands on her hips, as if satisfied with a job well done. “No! No! No!” She banged her knee, rolled over again—and finally someone grabbed her, stopping her fall. “Are you okay?” someone shouted over the loud music. “Yeah, I guess,” she managed to reply. Whoever it was quickly disappeared to his seat. Everything ached. She tried to stand, but sank back onto her knees on the hard, cold floor of the aisle.
