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

blanket, and two, I'm no longer chained to a wall. I need to sit up and figure out where I am, but when I move, a sharp pain stabs across my hand, 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

time I wake, my eyes open, and the room 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 until they step forward and I recognize Patrick's mother Shannon. Her face shows a look of pure relief, and her eyes shine

dear sweet girl, I'm so glad you're finally awake. We 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 my bed. She holds the cup for me and bends the

my mouth no longer feels stuffed

am I?" I croak, sounding

be right back, Shannon assures me, avoiding answering

croak again before carefully reaching for the

love. Now I will be right back with the doctor." With that, she hurries out of the room. I take several small sips of water while 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 is noise outside my door, and my guys pile into

safe and here, I burst into tears, and they all cluster around the head of my bed. As I look up at them, tears still running down my face, I realize Drew and Mike are here, too, and I stare at

on the edge

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 just nod as