Dark room

I woke in a quiet, dark room with a pounding headache. It took time to regain my bearings, as if I’d been out of my body for a long time. A shadowy figure sat near me. I summoned my strength to stay conscious and noticed a gentle stroking on the back of my hand.

Richard.

I whispered his name.

“Shh. Stay quiet, Thena.” He touched my cheek and pushed my hair away from my face.

“Sleep, Thena. I am here.” He kissed my forehead and the back of my hand. “Sleep.”

Safe and protected, I slid back into dreamless slumber.

Distant sounds of a beeping monitor crept into my awareness, and I realized I must be in a hospital. I heard an occasional phone ringing down the hall and the low, muted drum of rain beating on the window.

“Good morning.” Richard’s voice.

Then another, more gruff. “How’s my favorite lawyer doing?”

Jeff.

“Is she awake?”

“Not yet,” Richard said from beside me.

“Well, I hope they’re taking care of her.”

“Believe me, I’m making sure,” Richard said.

I let my eyelids flutter