I shivered. Willing myself to open my eyes, confront my situation head-on. Neither voice was Casso’s. Perhaps Iwassafe.
But how?
Another stabbing down low had me moaning inside my head. What was happening to me?
“Do you hear that? She’s in pain. Give her something,” the female voice said. She heard me? My God, I was out of it if I didn’t realize I’d made a noise.
“I already have,” said the male voice.
“Well, it wasn’t enough. She’s suffering.”
I am suffering. I’m in pain. Why won’t my eyes open?
“It’s par for the course, Jill. Her body’s stressed, fighting to regulate her temperature. I’m doing everything by the book.”
Jill? My Jill?
“Well, if you don’t, Boxer will kill you.”
Who’s Boxer?
“I’m highly aware that my life could be in danger if I don’t do my job properly. No need to threaten me. Relax, already.”
“She’s my best friend. I’m scared for her.” The sadness in her voice affected me deeply. Jill was my dearest friend. We might’ve lost touch over the last few years, but there was nothing I wouldn’t do for her. She’d been the sister I never had.
Hishandsome face brought light into my dark mind. If Jill was here, was Zach too? I hoped not. He was the last person I ever wanted to see.
A warm hand covered the top of mine.
“I understand, Jill. I’m doing all I can,” the man whispered.
“But you can’t save—”
“No.”
Save what?
Oh my God, was I dying?
Fight Asp. Don’t give up.
I pushed harder to open my eyes. Needing to know what they were talking about. Desperate to see where I was to be sure Casso wouldn’t find me.
If I was dying, I had nothing to worry about. Except, I didn’t want to die.
Fight. Survive.
“Oh my gosh, she’s coming to.” The hand squeezed mine gently. “Come on, Asp. Wake up, honey.”
Small patches of light filtered through the slits in my eyes. They were dim, not harsh. The more I blinked, the better I focused on the familiar face I’d missed.
“Hey, there.” Jill smiled, but it didn’t look genuine. I’d seen this expression before. She was hiding something. “You had me worried, girl.”
A man I didn’t recognize stepped beside her. “Let me have a look.” He put his stethoscope to my chest. Touched my forehead, checked my eyes. I assumed he was a doctor. Sort of reminded me of my gramps with his partially bald head. Except this man was tall and lean like a basketball player, wearing a black leather vest. “Are you experiencing any pain?”
“Mhm.” The more I engaged, the more clarity I gained of the situation. Something wasn’t right in my lower abdomen. My once weak heartbeat kicked up several notches as worry washed over me.
“Can you tell me where?”