Chronicles of Han Storm, Preserving Creata Part 1, 2, 3

Chronicles of Han Storm, Book 1, Part 1, Chapter 12

Revised version: Chronicles of Han, Preserving Creata, Part 1, Chapter 12

*** Twelve  ***

I was standing on the edge of a cliff. A huge valley opened at my feet. Desert surrounded me on all sides. I felt utterly alone. There was a high wind, picking up in intensity. I tried to resist but a gust caught me, ripping me over the edge.

I was falling.

I kept on falling.

I could not see the bottom of the cliff.

There was no bottom. Just yellow and red and black . . .

I woke up screaming!

Every inch of my body was on fire.

Every nerve-ending was working overtime.

I could not tolerate the touch of the light cover over me.

I kicked it off.

I could not bear the cool air against my exposed skin.

Tucker stormed into the room.

"Please do not touch me! It hurts! Oh Universe it hurts!"

Explosions behind my eyes!

Explosions inside my head!

Daggers across my body!

I could take it no longer.

I passed out.

I woke to a cool hand on my head, a feminine voice in my ears.

Lying perfectly still, I sent my consciousness across my body. The pain had subsided to a dull ache. My head felt as if it was split in two.

I did not want to open my eyes just yet.

Some cool liquid was trickled onto my tongue.

I swallowed.

It was sweet and also salty.

Electrolytes, my brain told me.

"He is swallowing on his own," the feminine voice said. "I think he is back with us."

I picked up a hint of flowers.

"Han?" Tucker asked.

I was not yet ready to join the living.

I allowed myself to go again and slipped back into the dark comfort of unconsciousness . . .

I was standing on the edge of a cliff. A huge valley opened at my feet. Desert surrounded me on all sides. I felt utterly alone.

Stop it!

I was not sure if I shouted it aloud, but I woke up fighting.

My heart was racing as comprehension returned to me.

Tucker was sitting next to me, holding my arms to my sides.

A nurse in uniform was standing beside the bed.

"Han. It is okay. You had a very high fever," Tucker's voice soothed me. "This is a friend. She is going to give you an injection for the pain. It is going to make you a bit groggy but you are going to be just fine."

The nurse smiled reassuringly at me, slipping a needle into my arm. Heat spread out from the injection site to quickly race around my stressed body.