ONE
I woke with a violent gasp, my body jerking upright as though something had ripped me out of deep water.
My chest burned.
My lungs screamed.
For a moment, I couldn't tell where I was or who I was.
The first thing I did was clutch my stomach.
My hands pressed hard against the familiar curve, panic flooding me so fast it made me dizzy.
Then a slow, insistent roll beneath my palm, followed by a sharp kick that felt almost indignant.
Relief crashed through me so powerfully my vision blurred.
"I'm here," I whispered hoarsely. "I'm awake. It's okay."
The room was dark, moonlight spilling through the tall windows in pale ribbons. The heavy curtains stirred faintly with the night breeze. Everything was exactly where it should be.
Except me.
My heart still raced as though I were being chased.
