Page 126 of Depths of Destruction
"Shh. It's me. You're okay," Andre assures me.
I slowly lift my head from his chest.
His eyes are full of worry, but his lips turn slightly up. He cups my cheeks. "Hey."
"Where are we?"
"Cayman Islands. We're at the hospital."
We're in a helicopter.
I look around. "Where is everyone?"
"They stepped outside so you weren't startled."
Flashbacks of the last few days, including being lifted into the helicopter, slowly move through my head. "I... Did I sleep the entire way?"
"Most of it."
I thought he was going to die.
I stroke the side of his head, tears fall, and I cry out, "Are you okay?"
He pulls me back into his arms. "Shh. I'm fine."
"I'm really confused."
"I think you've been in shock."
Shock. That's what they did to me. They shocked me for hours.
"They...they..." Tears choke me.
"Shh." He presses his forehead to mine. "Everything is going to be okay."
Is it? Will it ever be again?
Andre pins his gaze on me. "We need the doctor to look at you."
"No. Don't let them touch me," I cry out.
He holds his hands firm to my head. "Baby, you have open wounds on your back from the taser prongs and scrapes everywhere. I'm worried about infections."
I glance down at my body and am horrified to see the bloodstains on my skin. My hand flies to my mouth, and the stench of grime, sweat, and blood overpowers me. My stomach twists.
"Naomi, let's go in and get you cleaned up."
I peer out the window and see men in head-to-toe black outfits standing near the helicopter. A new panic takes hold. "Are they going to deliver me to the U.S.?"
Andre's jaw clenches. "I'll figure out our next steps. But right now, you need medical attention."
"Andre—"
He puts his finger over my lips. "Doctor first. Then we'll discuss the next steps."
"Don't let them take me!"
"I won't, baby."
