Page 44 of Us Dark Few

That was what she was lying on—a bed.

Her senses slowly returned. She lifted her hand and met resistance. Khalani opened her eyes and saw an incandescent white light hanging overhead, nearly blinding her.

If she was in heaven, she prayed God had pain meds available.

Wincing, she tried to sit up, but exhaustion quickly pulled her back down onto the bed. Thin wires were wrapped around her hands, and a sizable needle was embedded in her vein, secured with white tape. She let out a sound of discomfort, and someone nearby hushed her calmly.

“You’re okay.”

The voice sounded awfully familiar, but in her current state, she couldn’t recall who it belonged to. She barely remembered her own name. She heard footsteps thudding away, growing fainter and fainter, until Khalani realized she was alone.

Memories gradually returned with each passing second. The snap of a neck when Brock killed the guard, Dana ripping up the picture of her parents, and the hard kick of a boot to the head.

A door closed nearby, and Khalani tensed as another set of footsteps echoed in the background. Two faces appeared around the corner.

Her eyes widened when one of them belonged to Takeshi Steele. Frown lines etched deep into his forehead, and dark circles shadowed his eyes.

The other man was slightly older, with white hair and kind eyes. He wore a white robe, and in contrast to most inhabitants of Braderhelm, he gave her a warm smile. “Hi, Khalani. I’m Dr. Francis. How are you feeling?”

“Where am I?” she croaked out.

Her brows snapped together. Multiple beds like hers were lined up in a row. She appeared to be the only patient. The beds were bright white, and a mix of steel plates and instruments were scattered throughout the room.

“You’re in the medical ward. Generally, I only treat guards but will occasionally check prisoners for signs of infectious disease. You were brought to me this morning due to your injuries. And you’re lucky for it,” Dr. Francis said.

Her forehead crinkled in confusion, and she tried to sit up again, but searing pain stabbed her body like she was being gutted. She groaned and fell back on the pillow.

“Would you like me to lift the bed for you, so you can see better?” Dr. Francis asked.

“Yes, please.”

He pressed a button, and the bed made an audible purr as she shifted upward, half sitting, half laying down. Khalani tried to move her neck to get a better view and noticeably flinched.

“I would try not to move too much. You took quite a beating.” Dr. Francis studied a monitor displaying her vital signs and typed notes on a handheld screen.

“You have several lacerations to your face and suffered a concussion, but there is no bleeding to the brain. With the concussion, you may experience more vomiting, dizziness, and a major headache over the next few days. But with proper rest and time for the nasty cuts and bruises to heal, you’ll be just fine.”

Khalani took time to process his words. “How long have I been out?”

“A day,” Takeshi answered before the doctor could.

Khalani reeled back, and just that slight movement triggered a migraine from hell. Her head throbbed as if someone was pounding her skull with a sledgehammer.

“Any other pain meds you can give her?” Takeshi asked the doctor.

“She has already reached the max we’re allowed to give a Braderhelm prisoner.” Dr. Francis hesitated at the incensed flicker in Takeshi’s eyes.

“Okay.” Dr. Francis swallowed nervously. “Take these.”

He handed Takeshi a bottle of white pills. “There’s about ten extra in the bottle. She can take one or two after she eats. Don’t tell anyone I gave you that,” Dr. Francis told Takeshi, and he nodded solemnly.

“Understood, doctor. Thanks for your help with K—the prisoner.”

Was he about to say her name? She stared pointedly at Takeshi, but he ignored her.Nowhe chooses to ignore her.

“Of course, Captain.” The doctor turned back to her. “Unfortunately, I can only keep you here another couple of hours before questions arise about a prisoner being here too long.” He sighed, giving her an apologetic look.

“I’ve already told Captain Steele you need to rest. That means no shifts and strict bed rest. Captain Steele or another prisoner will bring you your meals. In two days, I want you to come back here, and I will give the final go-ahead for you to resume your normal duties,” Dr. Francis concluded.

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