Page 33 of Defending What is Mine

Chapter Sixteen

Jack:Present—Late January

I try to open my eyes but can’t. They’re heavy—so goddamned heavy. I twist and squirm onto my side to try and force myself awake, but the more I fight the drowsiness, the more my body aches.

Ache is the wrong word.

It’s more like fire. Like my entire being has been consumed by flames.

I try to blink, but my eyes refuse to open enough to focus. I can’t discern anything about my whereabouts through the blur.

Have I been captured?

Drugged?

I struggle against the pull of unconsciousness before it drags me under yet again…

* * *

…beep…

…

…beep…

…

…beep…

The sound won’t stop. It’s steady and constant. I look for the source, but can’t find it, and it never fucking stops, seeming as foreign as it does familiar. I scan my surroundings but don’t notice anything that looks like a match.

Did a sensor trip?

Is it a warning that the perimeter’s been compromised?

I don’t know, but I need to find the source and turn it off, before it drives me insane.

* * *

Voices.

Now I hear voices. I look around my quarters—still alone. Damn, there they go again. They’re quiet, but I definitely hear them. I rub my temples.

Am I losing my mind?I don’t feel crazy, but this doesn’t look good for the state of my sanity.

I look up and notice the time. Holy hell! It’s after eight.What am I still doing in my room? As I leap from the bed I catch a glimpse of my pants. And why the hell am I wearing blue pajama bottoms? Seriously. Questioning. My. Sanity.

I freeze. The voices are louder now. And I definitely make out two people. A male and a female. Did one of them just say my name? I look left. I look right. W-T-F? “Hey! Who are you?” I yell at my drab gray walls…

* * *

Hurt.

Every part of me hurts and I don’t understand why. I open my eyes and find myself in a darkened hospital room. I want to speak, but my throat is dry. So dry.

“Where am I?” I finally mutter. My voice sounds weak and raspy, even to me.

From the darkness, a soft voice answers, “Good evening, Captain. Welcome back.”

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