Unfamiliar (Unfamiliar Series #1)

Chapter 50

There is a faint beeping noise in the back of my skull. Every beep hurts, like a droplet of saltwater dripping into an open wound, a biting sting that lingers into the next one. It builds under my skin, pooling into a growing well of pain that makes it hard for me to move my head without pain roiling up my neck. 

What the-? 

With great effort, I open my eyes to see that a white expanse is stretched out in front of me. It doesn't take long for me to realize that it's actually a ceiling as I start to sit up.

Why does everything hurt so much?

"Kara? Don't move too much-," a voice begins to say and I gasp in a sharp breath when pain prickles up my spine.

Oh that hurts. 

I'm nearly blinded, my vision flashing black at the edges as I take a shaking breath that claws at my ribcage like trapped fire. I expect to exhale smoke, but that doesn't happen as I try to keep myself upright but fail. 

My elbows buckle under the weight, unable to bear it anymore. 

I fall back against a pillow as my mother's face flickers into view. Her eyes are bright with fear and I can feel my own terror match hers. 

Why is she looking at me like that? 

"Mom?"

Her lips quiver at my voice. A small smile breaks out across her face. Hesitant. 

Afraid. 

"You're safe, sweetheart, but you need to sleep for just a little longer," she explains as she puts a gentle palm to my forehead.

I turn into the pressure, closing my eyes at the comforting gesture as everything winks out of existence.

****

When I come to, I'm lying in a bed in a room that is painted white. Sigils are drawn on the walls in shades of blue, ones that I recognize for healing and protection. I can smell the sharp scent of disinfectant, the odor pungent and nearly overwhelming as I suppress the urge to cough. 

A hospital? 

It had to be. 

I blink a few more times and turn my head to see that my mother is sitting next to my bed in a thick, padded recliner.

Ice freezes in my veins as I startle. 

I can hardly recognize her. 

My mother's usual business casual has been swapped for sweats and a thick-knitted sweater that hangs on her frame. That's how I know it's serious, she would never leave the house in baggy clothes. She looks pale and small and overall too worried for me to handle as she stares at me for a long moment. Tears are gathering in her eyes before she lurches forward and wraps me in a tight hug. 

"My baby, oh I was so worried," she whispers as she strokes the top of my head.

I'm frozen for a long moment before I hug her back. 

"I'm okay mom," I reassure her, my voice surprisingly raspy. 

I can feel her tremble in my grasp, like she was trying to stifle a sob. A wound opens in my chest, threatening to pull me under as I lean into her touch. 

You scared the hell out of her. 

"They told me that you would wake up soon, but-," my mother murmurs as leans back and shakes her head. She pushes her glasses out of the way and wipes at her tears, "I couldn't See, I felt so...useless."