30 Days As A Substitute Prince

Chapter 21

In a moment of complete darkness, it is easy to see even the tiniest speck of light.

The light pulls you from that darkness, and slowly your subconscious is awake again. Then your senses will stir and the environment around you will come to life. 

No longer is the pain numb to your limbs, and the sounds deaf to your ears. It will all come back, starting with that  single speck of light. 

Chad had felt himself coming back from what felt like a dark sleep. He was awake but he still laid there unmoving with his eyes closed. 

The first question that came to his mind was where he was and what happened. He could feel the evident throb in his head and the ache in his arms and feet, but as for a memory, he was blank. 

He swept his mind for memories whilst trying to open his eyes, but the light was far too bright. Groaning, Chad tried to move his body, but found it difficult to do that too. 

Quiet shuffling from close by could be heard, and he  listened closely for someone or something to help him. With no memory of what happened or where he was, there was a sliver of fear threatening to creep up his spine. 

“I think he’s awake,” a muffled voice said in what seemed like urgency, and Chad noted that he recognised that voice. 

“I will  get the doctor,” another woman said, this one too sounding oddly familiar. 

Finally, the anticipation was far too much, and so Chad forced his eyes open despite the burn. It was the sunlight. It shone through each window in its beaming glory, as if welcoming him back to the conscious world. 

Chad blinked away the burn and tears, and slowly his blurred vision cleared. He turned his head just the slightest bit with a wince at the sharp pain that snapped through his shoulder. 

The wince caused unwanted air to escape to his parched throat, which only sent him into a fit of coughs. 

“Here.” The woman held a cup of water to his lips, and Chad greedily drank it all before easing back into the bed. “How are you feeling?” she asked in a small voice at which he finally turned to face her. 

Liziath, he thought. He knew her and recognised her instantly, but his head was still jumbled. 

“I’m-“ Chad winced again when he tried to move in a sitting position, and Liziath quickly moved into action to help him. 

“Take it easy. You took quite a fall there, Prince Zadkiel.” She tried to chuckle in hopes to lessen the tension, but little did she know that this was exactly what Chad needed to hear. 

Like a rushing mighty flood, all the memories came back to his mind. His secret, Heather, falling down the stairs--or being pushed, rather. 

Suddenly, anger rose in his veins like a venom. She could’ve killed him! 

That was her plan. 

“Where is she?” he asked urgently as he peered around the room in paranoia. 

“Where is who?” 

“Heather,” Chad confirmed as he met Lizaith’s eyes again. Just then, the door pushed open, followed by Tina and the doctor filing in. 

“Greetings, Your Highness, “ the doctor said with a short bow. “I am Doctor Zachery. I will be examining you to see if everything is okay. May I?” 

“Of course.” Chad nodded as he tried to relax. His mind was moving at miles per hour, which wasn’t helping his headache. 

He simply couldn’t believe that she shoved him down a staircase. What if she had succeeded?