"Madre de Dios," she says, eyes wide, then throws her arms around Rikki's neck, holding on to her for dear life, so it seems. Rikki's here, she's real, she even smells the same. It's not the greatest smell, sweat, but it's familiar and reassuring.

"Don't leave again," she whispers, her voice rough with unshed tears, and buries her face in the crook of Rikki's neck. "Don't you ever leave me again."