It hit the hardwood floor and spilled a sticky brown puddle near the edge of the rug.

“It burns,” Lily cried.

Her face was completely pale and covered in a fine layer of sweat.

She twisted her hair around her pinky finger with sharp, jerky movements.

“Where does it burn?” I asked.

I rubbed my thumbnail against my index finger so hard the joint started to ache.

“The heavy candies.” Lily sobbed and doubled over again, touching her forehead to the floorboards.

“The special pearls.”