surface, the current only pulled her back. Part of her wanted to be lost, to be dragged down to the bottom of the sea where she wouldn’t have to feel anything anymore.
But another part of her urged her to fight.
And when her eyes opened, it was as if her soul had been hauled back into her body.
The first thing she felt was the burning pain down her throat. Her first instinct was to pull at the intrusion pushing in her mouth, but when she tried to raise her hands, found them restrained. Panic welled in her as she attempted to cry out.
“She’s awake!” A familiar feminine voice shouted. “Call the nurse!”
Hands held her down. Something plastic and snake-like was removed from her windpipe. Her body relaxed as air filled her lungs again.
Slowly, her lids opened. Two familiar faces leaned over her, both weary, but smiling.
“You’re awake,” Aunt Angela said, her voice trembling.
A warm hand smoothed over her forehead, the scent of pastry and sugar drifting down to her nostrils. “I knew you’d pull through, dear girl,” Aunt Rosie added.
Dutchy opened her mouth to speak, but her mouth and throat were dry and scratchy. “Wa … ter …”
Angela sprang into action and grabbed a cup from the table, pressing it to her lips as Rosie propped up her head. “Slowly, Dutchy,” she cooed. “I know, I know … but you don’t want to choke.”
The cool water soothed her dry mouth and throat, and though she protested when Angela took the cup away, she nonetheless felt grateful for the small bit of relief. Easing back down on the bed, she stared at the ceiling. Where am I? What happened? She shut her eyes tight. The restraints on her wrists were gone, but something tight wrapped around her left arm that made it hard to move.
“You’re in the hospital,” Rosie said, as if hearing her thoughts. “There was an accident.”
Accident? The days and weeks during the past couple of months melded together, she couldn’t pinpoint how she could have—
The memories flooded back. Of that day in the park. Of hope flourishing in her as she attempted to spark her creative soul. And the crushing disappointment at another blank page. Tears gathered at the corner of her eyes, spilling over as a sob tore at her throat.
“It’s all right, dear girl.” Callused fingers brushed the tears from her cheeks. “Everything’s going to be fine. We’re here.”
She didn’t want to be here. She just wanted it all to go away. To be left alone. Her fox trilled sadly, its body limp and tired.
“Dutchy?” Angela’s voice pierced through her skull. “Darling? Are you having trouble opening your eyes?”
“Maybe she’s just tired,” Rosie offered. “She needs rest.”
“But I don’t understand. She’s been here for three days. How could she not be completely healed by now?”
Three days?
“Maybe it’s—oh, you’re back. She just woke up.”
A soft growl made her skin tingle. “Woke up? Why didn’t anyone—” Heavy footsteps stomped closer. “Dutchy?”
Her eyes flew open at the third presence in the room. It took a few second for her synapses to make the connection.
No!
Her fox reared up defensively.
John Krieger blew out a breath as he came up beside the bed. “You’re awake.”
He reached out, and the moment his hand touched her shoulder, her animal hissed as its claws raked at her insides, pushing to get out.
“No!” She jerked up and would have jumped off the bed if Rosie hadn’t caught her in her arms and held her down. “No!” The vixen barked and yowled at him, baring sharp teeth. It wanted out. It wanted blood. And because her body was too weak for the shift, it tried to forcefully claw its way out.
Krieger stared at her, his dark brows knitting together. “Dutchy, it’s me—”
“Get … away.” Panic rose in her as Krieger reached for her again, and her fox snapped its teeth at him. She clung to her aunt tighter and her gaze strayed toward the door. “Out!”
“Dutchy, what’s going on?” Rosie asked as she buried her face in her shoulder. “He’s your—”
“Please,” she sobbed. “Make him leave.”
“Dutchy, please,” Krieger began. “I—”
“You should go,” Rosie said. “Angela …”
“Just until she calms down,” Angela said in a soothing voice. “Please, Krieger. Just for a little while until the doctor can see to her.”
Seconds ticked by as silence filled the room. But once she heard the heavy footsteps get farther away and the door close, her body relaxed. As Rosie helped her back down on the bed, she could see the confusion