I hear whispers, but I’m not ready to face them.
Every part of me hurts, and I know when I wake, I’ll have to deal with that pain—both physically and emotionally. I don’t know what awaits me, but being a coward isn’t an option.
It feels like my eyelids weigh a thousand pounds, but I push past the anguish and slowly open my eyes. Everything is fuzzy, and when I attempt to rub my eyes, I realize my arm is heavier than my eyelids felt thanks to the plaster cast on it.
“She’s awake!” I’d recognize that voice anywhere.
Eva.
“Don’t ever do that to me again!” She throws herself onto me, hugging me tightly.
I try to hug her back, but it hurts to breathe.
“Why are you here?” I croak, and soon flinch because who knew even speaking would be painful?
“I wouldn’t go back home when you were miss
