Page 111 of Wolf

“Out. Everybody out,” Toni barks.

My eyes flutter closed, and I welcome the opportunity to evade my pain for a little longer.

“She’s losing it,” someone says, and I moan when I feel pressure between my legs.

“What?”

“Baby.”

“Oh god.”

It’s pitch black when I open my eyes. For a moment, I’m back in my room and the ever-present ache invades my ribs. Except this time, it’s hard to breathe.

When I touch my side, I fumble over something thick and follow it down my ribcage. It’s wrapped around me, suffocating, and with a grunt, I tear at it wildly.

“Whoa, hold up. Stop,” Wolf says, and I sob, “I can't breathe.”

“You can, baby girl,” he says, and I collapse.

“What’s happening?” I ask before it comes rushing back. “Rae,” I gasp, fumbling in the dark for his hand.

“Shh. Rest,” he says but I shake my head.

“I can’t. I need to find Rachel before they hurt her,” I rasp.

Wolf presses me gently back to the bed. His fingers find mine in the darkness and he places them on my chest.

I curl them into a ball and bring them to my mouth before biting down. The pain supersedes my panic but does nothing for the sharp ache in my ribs.

It’s the middle of the night. Tomorrow. I’ll make them see…tomorrow.

“Yes, tomorrow,” Wolf says but when I wake the following morning, he’s gone.

Beside me, Miriam sits in a chair, quietly knitting. I haven’t seen her do it in so long that I’m overcome with nostalgia. The sharp bite that follows my inhalation pushes me into motion and I rasp, “Mir?”

“You’re awake,” she says, dropping the colorful mosaic of yarn to the bed. “How do you feel?”

“Rae,” I rasp, and she rounds the bed, picking up a glass of water and pressing the straw to my lips.

I suck greedily, the liquid soothing on my sore throat. When I’m done, I grab her hand. “Rae. Is she here?”

Miriam frowns and sets the glass down. “No. Why would she be?”

Of course, it couldn’t be that easy, and rubbing my hands down my face, I say, “I don't know. She’s gone.”

“What happened, Lil?”

I shift to gain a better position and feel something gush between my legs. Tears fill my eyes, and I touch my stomach. Miriam places her fingers over mine and says, “I’m so sorry, Lil.”

I can’t do this. I can’t feel this ache on top of everything else and moving my hand away, I push up, although I’m half sitting up already.

“Let me help you,” she huffs while I grit my teeth until I can see straight again.

“What’s wrong with me?”

Miriam grabs my hand with a raised brow, and I look away from the challenge.

She eyes my wobbling lips before sighing. “We think you have a cracked rib or two. Could be broken. Hard to tell without taking you to the hospital.”

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