The next time I opened my eyes, the light was softer, not as harsh. My head felt heavy, but my chest lighter than it had before. I blinked a few times and shifted my gaze slowly—to the nurse standing by the window.
She was tall, dark-skinned, dressed in sea-blue scrubs with her name tag clipped over her chest pocket. Her braided hair was pinned up neatly, and a stethoscope rested around her neck. She smiled kindly, walking over to adjust the I.V. beside me.
I swallowed. My voice came out hoarse. “Is… is Raven going to be okay?”
She glanced at Raven’s bed, her smile softening. “She will be. She just passed out from shock. Her vitals are stable now. What she needs is plenty of rest.”
A breath escaped my lungs—relief, but it didn’t last.
My voice dropped lower. “What about Ellen?”
The n
