Page 28 of Bound

Chapter Seven

Emery

Ifelt the warmth onmy face, and could see a brightness against the back of my lids. Opening my eyes, I blinked hard as the sun burned my pupils.

The room around me was fuzzy, but I could still make out the walls surrounding me, and a window right beside the bed. Turning my face to the window, the sun was coming through in thick long streams, lighting up the particles of dust like tiny sparkles.

My body was cradled in the most delicate way, wrapped up in blankets and cool sheets. The softness of a pillow curled around my skull, but it did nothing to stop the slamming headache that pierced my brain.

Clutching my forehead, I moaned and rubbed my temples. I felt like I had been hit by a fucking truck, and dragged for miles underneath the wheels. Rocking my jaw back and forth, I dragged my hands down my cheeks.

It hurt to keep my eyes open, but I forced them wide, refusing to let them close. Looking around the room, there was a tall dresser against the back wall, and a door beside it. Pictures of flowers and old fashioned cabins decorated the cream colored walls.

Long shadows crawled over the bed, causing my eyes to follow the black iron bed posts, twining up like metal vines above my head. Confused, I tried to figure out where I was. I couldn't remember anything after he swept me off my feet.

Is this his house?

Pushing my hands into the mattress, I clutched the blanket and sat up. My chest was still aching, every inhale was agonizing and every exhale was just as horrible. Dropping my hands into my lap, I just sat still, unsure if my body could handle any more than that.

I was afraid to move, afraid that the pain would grow worse as my muscles worked between burning tendrils of fire that snaked around my chest.

Fuck, this is horrible.

There had been this expectation in my mind that sleep and rest would cure me, that when the sun came up in the morning, I'd have my strength back and I'd be able to fend for myself.

That wasn't the case. I felt worse than I had the night before, every inch of my body was just as sore, the pain still vibrant and alive in all my muscles.

The door creaked open, and I expected to see Porter. To my surprise, a small woman with dark red hair, and thick framed glasses stepped inside. Wearing a fitted blue blouse and jeans, she shuffled her feet across the plush blue carpet.

Carrying a wooden tray, with a bright smile on her face, she said, “Good morning, how are you feeling?” Walking to the bed, she set the tray on the end, and leaned against the post.

The scent of pancakes and syrup filled the room, mingling with the deep aroma of hot coffee and subtle perfume of sunflowers.

My stomach grumbled, eager and ready to devour everything that tray had to offer. Clenching my belly, I smiled cautiously. I didn't have a damn clue who this woman, was or why she was here.

Where the hell am I?

Waving her hand to brush off my silence, she stood at the end of the bed and cupped her hips. “Don't worry, no need to answer that. I'm going to be honest, you look like shit, and I'm sure you feel the same.” Her laugh was tender as she walked to my side, and looked over my face. “From what I hear, you're lucky to be alive. Let me take a look at your head.” Cupping my cheeks, she turned my face in her hands as she inspected the wound on my forehead. “He did a good job with it, but I think you might need stitches. But, I won't know until I take off the sani strips.”

“Okay,” I said, unsure how to respond. My stomach gurgled again, and my eyes darted to the food. “Is that for me?” Pointing at the tray, I angled my head so I could look up at her.

“It is, go on, eat up.” Leaning over me, she pulled the food closer. “Eat what you can, but don't worry if you can't finish it. I put a few aspirin on there too, it should help with some of the pain.” Smiling, she hugged herself and started for the door. “I'll let you relax a little while longer so you can eat, then I'll be back to take care of that cut.”

Not waiting for an answer, the woman walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her, and disappearing as quickly as she had arrived. Instantly, I had the urge to call her back. I wanted to know who she was, where I was, and what was going to happen to me.

She had a sweet nature to her, I didn't feel threatened or scared when she came in, and stood beside me. She didn't make me nervous or anxious in any way. After everything I had been through, it was relieving to be in the presence of someone who seemed so kind.

Eating as much as I could, I sat back against the pillow with a full stomach and finished the cup of coffee. My headache was starting to dull, becoming more of an aggravating throb than anything else. Rubbing my ribs, I felt each one gently, trying to figure out if there was a crack in any of them.

There was no way for me to tell, they all fucking hurt. Closing my eyes, I laid my head back and groaned. I still wasn't in any shape to try and get up, or to try and sneak away unnoticed like a mouse in the wall.

Laying back, I snuggled into the blankets, allowing myself to get comfortable. I wouldn't say I felt safe, I wouldn't tell you that my worries had disappeared and there was no fear of what would come next.

But I could tell you that right then, all I wanted to do was lay back and let my body repair itself. It was a natural instinct, like when you're sick and could sleep for hours. My body needed this, and I had no choice but to give it what it wanted.

“Emery, Emery sweetheart, wake up.” A gentle hand brushed across my forehead, rousing my eyes open.

Startled, I scrambled to sit up, clawing at the blankets with my nails, and kicking my heels against the mattress. Frantically, I looked around, unsure of what I was searching for. I must have had a nightmare, because I felt like I had been running. My heart was racing and a cold sweat had dampened my forehead, but I couldn't remember what I had dreamed about.

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