“He could feel the strong, steady beat of Isabelle's heart.

'I thought you were dead,' she went on. 'I saw you fall down, and--I thought you were dead.'

Simon let her hold him, propping himself up on his hands. He realized that he was listing like a ship with a hole in its side, and tried not to move. He was afraid that if he did, he would fall over. 'I am dead.'

'I know,' Izzy snapped. I mean more dead than usual.”