Page 100 of Cedarwood Cabin

My nerves shout at me to run amidst the chaos. The front door feels like a lifeline; it's my way of escaping from what is happening as I leave the nightmarish scene behind me. I catapult towards the exit, my feet not pausing to think.

Outside, the street just stretches on, blurring motion and uncertainty. Tears trickle down my face and ragged breaths burn deep in my lungs with each gulp as I keep running from the nightmare.

I don't know where I'm going, only that I must put as much distance as possible between me and the horrors I have seen. Fear propels me forward, adrenaline whipping through my veins like a crazed heartbeat.

My legs start to throb and my chest burns from exhaustion. I spot an abandoned warehouse and run inside. The air inside is stale, heavy with the scent of decay.

I walk over to a wall and slump against it, my body landing on the unforgiving, freezing concrete. I shiver uncontrollably. Both my shoulders and arms throb, feeling as though something has punctured inside me, causing an ever-intensifying sharp, jabbing pain with each movement.

The warehouse around me seems to close in. A wave of nausea washes over me, my stomach churning violently. I double over, clasping my stomach as a sharp cramp seizes me. I puke uncontrollably, the bitter taste of bile filling my mouth as my body convulses with each heave.

I lie curled on the cold ground as time seems to blur into a hazy fog.

The pain in my stomach tightens and my insides are ridden by waves of nausea. I involuntarily scream, my voice echoing in the warehouse. Everything around me blurs and dizziness takes over my senses. The pain in my womb seems to radiate fiercely outwards, spreading like fire through my body.

Fighting for breath, I keep hold of my stomach and curl into a ball on the cold concrete floor.

What's happening to me? Am I dying? Is it just the shock from tonight?

I’m having an out-of-body experience, floating on the edge of consciousness. The pain is so sharp and continual in my abdomen. I open my eyes and see Lyka and Dax rushing to my side, their expressions filled with fear and urgency. “Flora! Why did you run? We heard you scream!” Dax exclaims.

The ache causes me to cry out involuntarily, “Help me,” I tremble, lying on the floor.

I manage to look down and see Lyka kneeling on the floor beside me, his hands covered in blood. “Dax, she's bleeding down there!” he shouts, sending sudden panic through me as I struggle to make out what's happening.

“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! We've gotta get her to a hospital,” Dax declares.

My eyelids are heavy and want to shut again. I am trying hard to focus, but everything seems slow.

Lyka and Dax jump into action, moving fast and decisive. Lyka supports my head with a gentle hand as Dax carefully picks me up, cradling me in his arms. Everything they do is urgent, hurrying me toward the vehicle. I'm still clinging to consciousness as much as possible.

My eyes manage to crack open to a blur of bright lights overhead; the sterile scent of a hospital overwhelms my senses. I am being wheeled really fast through corridors on a hospital bed.

“Is there any chance she could be pregnant?” a woman's voice rings out abruptly.

Dax and Lyka flank me, their faces a picture of concern and determination. They keep pace with the bed. Dax extends his hand and finds mine for a silent promise of emotional support. I glance over to Lyka and his eyes are filled with tears.

The pain grows, a steady throbbing that courses through my body. I shut my eyes again.

TWENTY-SIX

FLORA

My eyes flutter open. I hear a faint yet constant beeping—machines are around me. My surroundings come into focus. I’m in a bright, sterile hospital room. My eyes shift to the machines beside me, showing vital signs that I try to understand. I turn my head to see Lyka and Dax both asleep in armchairs beside my bed, each covered by a blanket. They seemed peaceful in their sleep. It touches me to know they've stayed by my side, never mind everything else.

The door creaks open and a nurse comes in. She fiddles with some monitors, expressing relief at my own awakening. “Oh, good. You're awake. I can let the doctor know.”

I clear my throat. “What happened?”

“The doctor will come and answer all your questions. For now, you need to rest,” her voice is kind but firm as she fiddles with the IV to ensure my maintained comfort.

She turns to look at Lyka and Dax, still asleep, as she walks towards the door.

“We've had to bring them food. They have refused to leave your side,” she says with a smile, admiring their dedication.

As the nurse leaves, the door closes with a click that wakes Lyka. He blinks wearily, rubbing his eyes as he sits stiffly in the chair. He mumbles, “Flora?”

Dax wakes up, yawning himself into cognition. His eyes find mine, suddenly open and alert, as he sits up. “You are awake,” he says, exhaling a breath of relief. He unconsciously reaches for my hand.

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