Chapter 20: A Reconciliation...of Sorts Pt. 1

Valene:

When I felt my eyes moving against my closed eyelids, I was aware of my return to consciousness, yet I was still too weak to open them. Gradually, I garnered the strength to open my eyes and when I did, I found myself in a large room with curtains drawn to the side, covering what I assumed was the only exit, save the window to my right.. Was there someone else in here?

“Hel…hello?” I attempted to say when I felt the scratchiness in my throat; there was a dryness in my mouth that I nearly choked on. Quickly, I looked around for something to nourish my parched tongue and fortunately found two bottles of water sitting on the stand next to my bed. They must have known that this was bound to happen-my waking up to dehydration.

After gulping down one of the little bottles, I sat up in my bed, only pushing the covers far enough back to lift my shirt and check the wound that got me here in the first place, as I recall. As I attempted to lift my shirt, I realized how sore I was, so I