The Six: Genesis | A Reverse Harem Novel

Six

"Whoa, whoa, whoa,"  Ryker's voice cuts through the panic in my mind, "you're fine and I'm here."

You're fine.

I'm here.

A few words and the chaos unleashed inside of me is mollified. The tension roiling my muscles and bringing sweat to my brow fades away, and I slink back onto the soft mattress with a grunt. His presence near my bed, holding my hand, is exactly what I need.

"I'm so glad you're awake," Ryker continues, "I was worried. You were asleep for so long."

Why can't I see?

I want to ask, but I can't get my jaw to work and my eyes won't open. Like before, I'm wallowing in darkness and unable to liberate myself. My gosh, what have I done?

Is this the betterment I hoped for? Locked in my body, in the dark, unable to move or experience the freedom of life again? At least there is no pain.

I'm floating above it. In the recess of my mind, the piercing ache of major surgery pinches, arching to move forward, but the drugs weaving my system keep it at bay. Though I'm loathed to wonder for how long, and how bad will it be when it returns?

Will I speak by then? Walk? Be able to squeeze Ryker's blunt fingers in my hand?

"I don't know if you can speak yet, Blue, but I'm here. If you can hear me, can you squeeze my fingers?"

Yes, I can hear you. But I can't move my fingers, hand, arm or legs. Joy bounds inside of me despite the limitations because I can hear. Quite frankly, it's more than I hoped for.

"Is she awake, Ryker?"

My mind rebels as a second voice enters the conversation. The quiet room I'm in floods with noise as the door opens and I'm drowning in footsteps, breathing, papers sliding against one another, and the horrid screeching of metal.

It's so loud. Oh my gosh, why is everything so loud? Make it stop!

"Her heart rate's going insane."

"What th—" Ryker breathes. "It wasn't like that before, Levi."

Close the door, Levi. Please close the door. I can't take it!

"Do you think I need to get a doctor?"

Ryker curses under his breath. "I don't know what any of this shit means."

"There's something wrong, but I don't see any markers for pain." Levi steps further into the room and blessedly, the door closes behind him. "Oh, wait—her heart rate dropped."

Ryker's hand closes around mine harshly, but it doesn't hurt. He's terrified for me. The strong tempo of his heart is elevated, hammering harder and harder.

"It must have been someone new coming in? Maybe she didn't recognize your voice at first?"

"Could be," Levi agreed. "Nightmare, maybe? She could be dreaming and we not know."

When they lapse into silence, the door opens again. I can't open my mouth, but I scream internally. It's too much. It's too loud.

Chairs banging.

People laughing.

Metal doors clanging.

And is that someone chewing?

"Mr. Fernandez, there's a call for you."

How can they speak so calmly? How are their brains not splitting apart at the seams with all this noise? Please make it stop.