Page 119 of Owen

What’s going on? Where am I?

Then I’m pulled under into a black inky sea.

Like a newly formed butterfly, I flutter my eyelids, hoping they take flight and open fully.

I’m so tired, and my body feels like a dead weight.

“Will she stay awake this time?” I hear a woman’s voice ask.

I want to reply and ask who is waking up, but my head is pounding.

My mind focuses on the firm tone of Owen’s voice. “Her body needs the rest. She’s exhausted.”

I don’t know how long it is until I try to pull open my eyes again and when I finally do, I’m greeted by an overwhelming sight of Owen on one side of me and my mom on the other. It’s only when I glance down that I realize I’m in a hospital bed.

How the hell did I get here?

“Hey, sweetheart.” My mom’s eyes are watery, worry lines etched deep across her forehead.

Blinking, I look around the room and a strange sense of panic riots through me.

“Do you remember anything?” my mom asks softly.

“No.” I cough, my throat dry. The rasp of it is muffled by the oxygen mask I’m wearing.

I reach up to remove it, but Owen does it for me. “Hey, Hotshot.” He smiles, but I can see the concern written all over his face as he lifts the mask carefully up over my head.

“What happened?” I cough again. The pain in my back andshoulders hitting me from every angle makes me moan in discomfort.

“I’ll let Owen explain everything,” Mom says as she leans down and kisses my cheek. “I thought I’d lost you.” She pauses as if she’s trying to push down her emotions. “I’m going to give you two some space, and I’ll let the doctor know you are awake.” She squeezes my hand before she leaves us.

“I’m so thirsty,” I croak.

Always looking after me, Owen helps my stiff body to sit upright, and I groan as pain makes itself known in places I didn’t know were possible. Owen then tips a cup of cold water to my lips, and my mouth and tongue jump with joy as it hits them like a tidal wave. Water has never tasted so delicious.

Leaning forward, Owen kisses my forehead. “I thought I’d lost you, too. I love you so much.” My body may hurt from physical pain, but Owen’s voice sounds tortured, making my heart ache for him.

But wait, lost me?

“What happened? Why can’t I remember how I got here? Oh my God, where’s Poppy?”

“She’s fine,” Owen reassures me. “She’s safe with Aunt Babs.”

Letting out a sigh of relief, I realize that my chest feels bruised, like I’ve been in a fight with a raging bull. I pull my hand to it and notice the IV in the back of my hand.

“Tell me why I’m here, Owen?” I beg, already feeling exhausted and confused.

He clears his throat. “Your jet had a flameout.”

“Did it?”

“You had to eject.”

I punched out?“Where?”

“Over the mountains.”

“What mountains?”

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