19
Avery bit back a groan as she slowly fought her way to consciousness. She rolled onto her side and winced. Her head felt like someone had stuffed cotton into it.
Her hand went to her shoulder. Under her shirt, she felt a bandage. Sweat beaded on her brow despite the chill in the room. She forced herself to sit up. A slow look around showed that she was back in her prison cell.
Her fingers trembled as she lifted them to her aching brow. She took a moment to evaluate her body. Lowering her hand, she carefully unbuttoned her blouse far enough to push the material to the side.
The white strip of gauze and medical tape was new. She slowly pulled the tape back to reveal five neat stitches. A frown creased her brow as she tried to remember how she had been injured.
The sound of footsteps
