Page 120 of Finding Fate

Fate

Today

"Fate?" says a familiarvoice, pulling me from sleep. "I have a few questions for you." There’s a slight jostle to my shoulder.

Something about the hushed, agitated voice pulls at a memory.

With a groan, I stretch my legs under the hospital blanket, relishing the slight soreness between them.

Blinking awake, I stare up into Matt's hard, blank stare. Immediately on alert, I push onto my elbows to scan the room.

No Nash.

"What's going on? Where is he? Where is Nash?" Anxiety builds sending my pulse racing.

"He's okay, just out taking care of a few things. Which leads me to my questions. We need to know, Fate. To help Nash get the inside source, we need answers, now."

Now. Sweat builds along my palms, turning them clammy beneath the sheets. Balling the rough blanket in my tight fist, I fight off the urge to spiral into the panic attack that threatens to swallow me whole. I take a few deep breaths in and out to calm my nerves.

"You mentioned that before you blacked out from the drugs, you heard or saw something. What was it, Fate. Is it enough for you to help convict this bastard when the time comes?"

What was I going to say? "I don't... I don't remember. Everything's so foggy, and I just want to go back to sleep. Where's Nash?"

"What do you remember?"

Think, think.

It feels important. Really important, but it's not clear. Every time I think I have the memory, it skitters away.

"You said it was right before you blacked out," Matt encourages. "So think back to your apartment. Think about right after you felt the drugs pulling you under."

A chill shakes my shoulders, but not at a memory—it’s at his words. How would he know I was in my apartment unless...?

Slowly peeling my lids open, I stare up into Matt's concerned features. Brows pulled together, lips pursed, he nods, urging me to talk.

"Where's Nash?" I ask, voice trembling. "I need him."

And just like that, the concern wrinkling his features falls to a smug half-smile. "Ah, slip of the tongue. Oh well. You should’ve listened to me from the beginning, Fate. I tried to tell you that you were in way over your head."

---