CARMEN
When I awoke again, it was slowly. And at first, warmth was all I felt.
A soft, steady warmth along my shoulder and across my hand. Not the blistering heat of pain, not the feverish burn of fear, but something gentler. Something nurturing. It was the kind of warmth that told my body it was not alone.
My eyelids felt heavy. My thoughts were fogged, but also soft at the edges.
I managed a slow blink.
Then I blinked again, vision clearing slightly.
The room slowly came into view in pieces. The walls glowed cream-colored around me. A narrow window with pale sunlight bleeding through. The edge of a blanket pulled up over my legs.
There was a faint smell of tea, antiseptic, and something homey that reminded me of bread just out of the oven. Where the heck was I?
My heart gave a sm
