Nora Vanderbilt's life takes a mysterious turn when a near-death experience grants her extraordinary abilities, catching the attention of the enigmatic Dr. Hunter Aloysius Percy. Invited to join an exclusive research study on NDE survivors, Nora is...
Nora's mind was foggy as she slowly regained consciousness, her head heavy with the aftereffects of the sedative. The dim morning light filtered through the thick forest trees, casting shadows across the room, and the scent of wood and earth filled the air. She blinked, trying to adjust, but the grogginess refused to fade. Her heart pounded in her chest as she realized she wasn't in their home—this was somewhere unfamiliar, somewhere she didn't recognize.
She lay in a large bed, the blankets soft and warm around her, but the feeling of being trapped began to settle in. Her mind raced, trying to piece together how she had gotten here, but the memories were still muddled. Slowly, she tried to sit up, the motion sluggish, her limbs heavy as if the sedative was still gripping her. She scanned the room, her eyes searching for something familiar—a phone, a clue, anything that could tell her where she was.
But what would she even do if she found a phone? Who could she call? Her mind flashed to Homer, but she quickly pushed the thought away. She was alone, trapped in the silence of this strange place.
The door creaked open, and Nora's breath caught in her throat as Hap entered, a tray of food in his hands. He smiled warmly at her, as if nothing was amiss, and walked toward the bed.
"Good morning, Nora," he said cheerfully, setting the tray down on the nightstand next to her. "I brought you breakfast."
Nora's pulse quickened as she looked up at him, still struggling to gather her thoughts. "Where are we?" she managed to say, her voice hoarse, still tinged with the remnants of the drug's effects. She pushed herself back against the pillows, trying to sit up straighter, but her body felt heavy and uncooperative.
"This is our cabin in the redwoods," he said casually, sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at her with a soft smile. "I thought it would be good for you to get away from everything for a bit. You've been working yourself too hard."
Her mind was reeling, unable to process his calmness. "I'm supposed to be at work," she said, her words coming out more forcefully than she intended, as if the act of saying it might bring her some semblance of control. "Why are we here, Hap? Why am I here?"
He looked at her with an almost apologetic expression, his voice smooth and reassuring. "You were having a breakdown, Nora. You were saying all kinds of things. I thought it was best to help you get some rest. I didn't want you to push yourself any further."
She narrowed her eyes, still struggling to understand, still feeling that nagging sense of betrayal in her chest. "You drugged me," she said slowly, her voice rising, the truth finally hitting her fully. "You drugged me."
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He nodded, his expression softening as if he were trying to soothe her. "Yes, it was regrettable," he said, his tone calm, as though he were explaining something simple, something necessary. "But you needed it. You were spiraling, Nora. I couldn't just stand by and watch you fall apart."
