Eyes still closed, I wake with a smile on my face, the memory of Mum still warm in my chest. I try to hang on to the dream, to her smell, the feel of her arms wrapped around me, her voice in my ear, whispering that everything will be all right.
It will be…
I finally open my eyes and my smile melts because there’s a tall man standing over me, holding a white cloth.
Oh s**t!
He leaps onto me, holding the cloth over my mouth and nose.
It smells like nail-vanish remover, only sweeter.
I start to feel lightheaded.
Using both knees, I lift him off me and launch him to the side of the mattress. He lands with a loud thud, but then quickly rolls onto his feet, grabbing my ankles. I kick out wildly, but my legs feel weak.
What the f**k was on the cloth?
I watch the ceiling through half-open
