Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Chapter

122

My head hurts so much more with loud noises and a bright light in my eyes. Why don't they just leave me alone? The sting of a needle being stuck in my arm. Good, now I will be knocked out again. Everything fades to silence.

A loud, consistent beeping pulls me awake again. Is this some new form of torture my father came up with? I'm too tired to open my eyes, and honestly, I don't want to know if I'm still in the basement or some new hell, I embrace the dark silence when it comes. This is where I feel the safest now.

The beeping wakes me again, but this time, my brain feels less sluggish. Maybe the drug is finally wearing off. Should I open my eyes or pretend to be still unconscious? Do I want to know where I am now? I'm still lying on a mattress, but this one feels slightly different. No, I'm not ready to face whatever new hell my father has left me in. I drift off to sleep again.

and

I gasp. There is a loud sound near my feet, and a shadow suddenly stretches across where 1 lay. My fight-or-flight response decided to come back from its drug-induced slumber, and I panicked; the sheet and blanket seemed to trap me against the mattress, and the beeping was getting louder and faster. Loud sounds and raised voices come closer to me, and its getting harder and harder to breathe. I hear my name being shouted before the

becomes focused. Slowly turning my head, I look around and realize I'm in a hospital room. My sudden movement catches the attention of the person sitting on a chair by the foot of my bed. The room is still dim so I can't tell who it is

have all been so worried," she says with a trembling voice as she steps forward and takes my hand. I open my mouth to respond, but all that comes out is a dry cough. Shannon quickly reaches for the plastic water pitcher on the table next to

longer feels stuffed with old

happened? Where am I?" I croak,

me just get the doctor, and I will be right back, Shannon assures me, avoiding answering my

I croak again before carefully reaching for the

1 wait for someone to come in and tell me what's happened. I want my guys, and I hope they get here soon. Just as I finish that thought, there

As I look up at them, tears still running down my face, I realize Drew and Mike are here, too, and I stare at

the edge

we are so glad you are awake and safe," Patrick murmurs to me. When I glance at Drew and Mike again, Patrick continues: "Yes, they really are here; as soon as we realized you had been taken, we called them, and they were on the first flight back home." I