N I N E T E E N
I slowly open my eyes, wondering if I’m dead or alive. My head is killing me, feels like it weighs a million pounds, and as I look all around, blinking, I struggle to figure out where I am.
I spot Bree sitting beside me, Charlie by her side, and Ben beside him. We are in some sort of cell, but it is different than the cave. It is a small metal cell, protected by metal bars, leading to an outside tunnel. It is just the four of us in here.
I wonder if I’m awake or dreaming, until Bree suddenly sits up and looks at me.
“Brooke?” she asks.
She leans over and gives me a huge hug. My head is splitting, but I still try to hug her back. Charlie runs over and hugs me, too. Ben kneels down, looks at me, and places a gentle hand on my face.
“You’re alive,” he says with relief.
