SEVENTY-SEVEN

I regained consciousness slowly. It started with the sounds around me, the harsh breathing, intermittent cursing and the beeping of a machine. Then I felt a hand clutching mine in a death grip after which I felt the uncomfortable bed underneath me. It took more effort than usual to blink my eyes open and when I did, the brightness of the room almost burnt my eyeballs.

“I feel like shit.” My words were broken and raspy, my throat dry – parched, and my body heavy like I’d been pummeled within every inch of my body.

“Don’t you –“ I blinked my heavy eyes at Cahir who was crushing my left palm in his. “Don’t ever do that again.” His tone was quiet yet rough, his eyes looking soulless with large bags around them.

“I – I’ll try,” I whispered with a throat that burned every time I uttered a word.

“Water – I –“ I’d never seen Cahir so out of his elements before. His shoulders slumped forward, his voice was thicker and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he forced words out. “I’ll get you a glass of wat