Chapter 38: Death and Denial
**Jake**
Kait comes over to my bedside and places a damp cloth over my forehead. She smiles when she sees my eyes open, and my heart melts.
“Good morning,” she whispers in the early light.
“Morning,” I say, wincing at the hoarseness of my voice. More than that, I’m surprised I’m alive.
I look around my room, seeing Nathan pacing in the corner and Marcey fiddling with some things in a bag. It’s MY room, but I don’t know how I got here.
“What…” I begin, but Kait places a finger to my mouth.
“Try not to speak. You were pretty messed up when we found you. Marcey’s been dosing you with some special remedies of hers for the whole night. Looks like you’re nearly ready to be back on your feet, but I wouldn’t risk anything.”
Nathan, hearing us, walks over. His face is bruised, with small welts forming along his jawline.
“You look like hell,” I tell him. He sighs and then chuckles.
“Back at ya.”
I try to laugh, but my ribs ache before I even get enough breath in.