Chapter 17
—Kasey—
I entered a dreamlike state—or was I coming out of one? Weird floating sensations made me feel nauseous and lost. And sore. So fucking sore.
I tried to swallow but something seemed wedged in my throat. It automatically inflated my lungs and had me fighting my natural urge to breathe.
My heavy hands rose to my neck and mouth, trying desperately to dislodge whatever was filling my esophagus and triggering my gag reflex.
“Nurse!” came a woman’s loud shout, then frantic hands locked mine down.
Rushed words swirled around me, then I dry retched as the blockage was removed from my throat, leaving it raw and irritated.
I coughed and fought to calm my racing heart. Another wave of panic hit when my eyelids were forced open, and a bright light shone directly into them.
“Welcome back, Kasey. You’re in Gallie Hospital after a car accident. You’ll have many questions, but we also need you to rest.”
I tried to talk, but the sounds around me overwhelmed all thought. And fuck it hurt to swallow. Each went down with a fuck-awful wince.
Despite the questions and me wanting to open my weighted eyelids, I simply couldn’t. Exhaustion tugged at me, pulling me relentlessly into the calm place once more.