I woke up to the sound of people arguing.
The words blurred at first, low and muffled, like voices underwater. My body felt heavy, like I'd been dragged under by invisible chains. Something soft and warm cradled me, a bed.
Clean white sheets brushed my fingertips, the faint scent of disinfectant stinging my nose. The air smelled like a nurse's station, sterile and sharp, with a hint of lavender trying, and failing, to mask the sting of chemicals.
"…don't play dumb with me!"That voice was sharper now, closer. Male. Angry.
Rowan?
"What did you do?" he snapped, each word sharp enough to cut glass.
"I didn't do anything!" Alicia shot back, her tone cool but with an edge I hadn't heard before. "Don't look at me like that. I just happened to be there when she collapsed!"
"Enough," Rowan bit out, his tone low and dangerous. "I swear Alicia, if this has anything to do with what happened on Saturday, I—"
Suddenly, there was silence.
