Page 44 of Master of My Heart

Chapter Sixteen

Sabrina woke the next morning, her ribs aching terribly and her heart racing. That happened more often than she’d like to admit, as she had more nightmares than dreams. She usually didn’t remember any details, but she remembered the feelings. Those were bad enough. She wasn’t sure if she really wanted to remember. Something about being chased by some horrible unknown was enough to know.

She rubbed her face and groaned as she rolled to her side and sat up. Outside, the sun was high in the sky. She looked at the bedside clock and saw it was almost noon.

After gathering some clothes, she padded to the bathroom to take a hot shower in the hopes it would help her aching body. For what seemed like the hundredth time, she wondered how humans dealt with not healing quickly. Normally, she would be better already. But she wasn’t her normal self.

The shower helped with the racing heart, but not the pain. She walked out of the bathroom, gritting her teeth against it, but tried to smooth her expression when she saw Liz standing in the kitchen.

“How are you feeling?” Liz asked.

Sabrina hesitated, then remembered she wasn’t with Ramon. He relished in her pain. Liz wouldn’t do that. “It hurts,” she admitted.

“Did you take anything?”

Sabrina blinked in confusion. Liz pointed to the plastic amber bottle on the counter.

“Let me get you some water and you can take your medicine. You’ll feel better.”

“I forgot about those,” Sabrina said, embarrassed, as Liz handed her two white tablets and a glass of water.

“What did you take back home when you hurt yourself?”

Sabrina bit her lip and stared at the pills. How could she explain that she healed after sleep? Or that Ramon would never have given her something to help with the pain he caused? She swallowed the pills and walked into the kitchen to put her glass into the sink.

“I’m sorry if I’m being nosey,” Liz said sincerely. “Sometimes I speak before I think.”

Sabrina shook her head. “You’re fine. I just... I’ve never been normal. Didn’t really get hurt when my parents were alive...” She pressed her lips together as Liz’s eyes widened, making Sabrina think she understood what Sabrina wasn’t saying.

“Did you get sent somewhere after your parents died?”

Sabrina laughed softly. “You could say that.”

“Were they... abusive? Whoever took care of you, I mean?”

“They were never meant to ‘take care of me,’” Sabrina said in a soft voice and looked away, remembering that horrible day. “They killed my parents so they could take me.” Liz gasped. Sabrina wished she hadn’t said anything. “Sorry,” she said quickly. The last thing Sabrina wanted to do was make Liz or anyone else uncomfortable.

When Liz wrapped her arms around her, Sabrina stiffened, like she had the previous morning when she hugged her. But, at the same time, it felt nice. She ignored the pain in her side and hugged Liz back. A few tears escaped, but for the most part, Sabrina kept them under control.

“I’m not hurting you, am I?” Liz asked, her voice muffled slightly.

“No,” Sabrina lied.

She pulled back and gave her a doubtful look. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“It’s okay. Really.” Sabrina traced a pattern on the granite countertop with her finger. “It’s been a while since I’ve been around nice people. I like it.” She gave her a small smile.

Liz smiled, though Sabrina could see the sadness in her eyes. “You wanna watch a movie to keep your mind off your ribs until the meds kick in?”

“Sure.” Sabrina liked the idea of a distraction.

Liz got her a blanket and a pillow and told her to stretch out on the couch while she took the oversized armchair. About halfway through the movie, Sabrina realized her ribs weren’t hurting anymore. She mentioned it to Liz.

“If you take the medicine regularly, you won’t have too much pain,” she explained. “I’ll help you remember, if you want.”

Sabrina nodded with a smile. “Thanks.”

Jayson came home just as they finished their second movie. He sat down next to Sabrina, who was curled up in the corner of the couch. “How ya feeling?” he asked.

---