Page 62 of Savage Warrior

Exhausted, I abandon the struggle.

I hear them again. The talking. Louder now, closer. Familiar, a voice I know. But I can’t remember, and trying makes my head hurt even more.

They are touching me. I feel them, their hands on me. Gentle hands, caring hands…

“She moved her lips. She’s trying to talk.”

Did I? Am I? Do they mean me?

I try to form words, but I do not know what they are. And the voices have faded, gone. I’m alone again, with the pain.

“She should be awake by now. You said she would…”

I strain to hear, to make sense. It must be me they are talking about because they are touching me again. I know that voice… If I just concentrate and try to remember…

“She muttered something. Her mouth moved.”

The voice I recognise is closer now, very close. I feel breath on my face, the scent of… of…someone filling my nostrils. I breathe him in and find comfort there.

If I can just reach him, touch him…

Do not go…

“Arina. Baby, it’s me. ?tefan. Can you hear me?”

Yes. Yes! He takes my hand. I squeeze his fingers.

He touches my face, my hair. I like his touch, need him. Stay with me.

“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. You’re safe, Arina.”

Safe? I want to believe that. I’ve been so frightened, so cold.

“Can you open your eyes? Look at me, Arina. Tell me you’re okay.”

I need to do as he says, but my eyelids are heavy. I can’t lift them. I try harder, and light spears my eyes. Too bright.

“Turn the fucking lights down.” The tone is sharp, demanding. “It’s hurting her.”

I try again. It feels better this time. I blink up into the soft dimness but see only shades of grey.

“Hello, baby.” Lips brush mine.

I want to smile, but it’s too much effort. And it hurts. Everything throbs.

There’s another voice, whimpering. Crying out. Is that me?

More muttering from further away, but the pain recedes. I’m floating, weightless. And so tired. The voices fade, the light dims, and there is nothing all over again.

The next time I wake up, things seem clearer. I have a strength I couldn’t find before. I prise my eyelids apart, and find I can endure the light, almost. I blink to clear my head then twist my neck to look around.

Where am I?

A hospital. Like the one in Lida where my papa was, but not like that one at all. This is bigger, brighter. There’s noise, lots of noises. A whirring and bleeping behind me. Footsteps in the distance.

I can’t tell what the sounds are or where they are coming from, so I close my eyes again and simply lie there, taking in the different noises, sifting each one from the rest.

I’m thirsty. Terribly thirsty. My mouth is dry, so dry I can’t speak.

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