Rhea Thurman has always been goal-driven despite the tragedies of her past. Her obsession with criminal law leads her to the most prestigious internship in the city, working under up-and-coming lawyer, Davina Jenkins.
But Rhea never prepared to meet...
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"He's not coming."
I hear the words but they don't sink in. I don't feel them. I can't feel anything.
"I don't—" my voice cracks from disuse. "I don't understand."
My heart monitor beeps loudly. There's tubes running into my hand that leave a dull pain. At least I'm feeling something.
My whole world has changed in less than twenty-four hours. If I start feeling anything, my heart won't take it.
I blink rapidly. I won't allow the memories to resurface. The physical injuries I have are enough to remind me.
"I want to speak with him," I whisper, staring at the ceiling. "Call him."
The lady smiles solemnly at me. I don't know who she is and I don't care. I don't care about anything anymore. I've lost everything.
"He's made himself clear," she says. "He's decided that you'll be put into—"
"Call him," I urge. "Please."
The women sighs, but nods regardless. She withdraws a phone before dialling his number. It rings twice before she begins to speak.
"Dean Thurman? Yes, this is Liza from social services. Yes, she's awake. She'd like to speak with you."
Despite how hard she tries to quieten her voice, the room is too soundless for me to focus on anything else. If I let go of the present, my mind will slip back to yesterday.
Blood. So much blood. Everywhere.
I squeeze my eyes shut, shaking my head.
When I open them, she's standing next to the bed again extending her hand out. I find Dean's caller ID scrawled across the screen, the seconds ticking up as the call continues.
She presses the loud speaker icon and I hear rustling on his end. "Dean?" I whisper.
"Ree," he says, softly. "I'm glad you're okay."
Confusion creeps in. He thinks I'm okay because I'm alive?
Surviving doesn't mean that I'm magically okay.
"Why aren't you here?" I ask. "Please come. I— I'm..."
"You'll be alright, Ree. I can't— I can't."
Then I feel the panic rising. I try to suppress it but I can't any longer. It hits my chest first, squeezing my heart as I try to soften my breathing.
