Bonds

Chapter 55

-Maya’s POV-

A wave of nausea rolled over me threatening to pull me under. The room spun, a dizzying carousel of white walls and blurry shapes. A cool hand settled on my forehead, a comforting anchor in the sea of disorientation. “Easy there,” a familiar voice murmured, laced with concern.

My eyelids fluttered open, battling the heaviness that threatened to keep them shut. Slowly, the blurry shapes merged into a face – Ivan’s face, filled with worry and a hint of relief. Relief washed over me, momentarily eclipsing the fear and pain that gnawed at the edges of my

consciousness.

The memories, fragmented and terrifying, began to flood back–the crowded bar, Natalia’s mischievous grin, the

my throat. “What happened?” I croaked,

a placating gesture, his grip firm yet gentle as he pushed

word felt foreign in my current state. “No, it’s not okay,” I insisted, my voice rising with a tremor. “Natalia… Sarah… Riley. What about

his voice a steady counterpoint to the storm brewing within me. “Everyone’s

rest”

my friends could be lying in similar beds, their bodies broken and bruised? The fear morphed into anger, a hot coal burning in my gut. “I need to see them,”

swiftly, his hand pressing against my shoulder. “Whoa, there. The doctor said you need to stay in bed for observation. They’ll be fine.

coursing through me. “But what happened?” I