A Rose Among Ashes

ra'

gain, I am

tter how deep it seems, my body never hits the ground. I see thos

to reach out, to touch them. But they slip away f

alerts me to where I am. Blinding lights bit into my eyes the minute I p

to the road, the driver hitting the b

l

around frantically, the white walls meaning nothing to me. I still thi

aby, and I won't be able

d to

ed to do

ll it out, the door pushes open, and a doctor walks in. He halts for a second

sks, wrapping his firm hands aro

rd against his grip. I use my body, my

at I begin to feel like I am running insan

e corners of my eyes. "He is going to find me,

ary relief washes through me when I see that it is just another doctor. He see

going to need you to take a deep breath if you d

says it has my raging breath calming immediately. I take in gulps o

s eyes stray to the needle, s

ther one. "Get me a pair

s both in the room. "Did he ask you to keep

narrows before he pulls away, retrieving a folde

after beating me up. It's bigger and from the bed, I can take in the view beyond the balcony

hing Alex or L

re a

me. "You were brought in last night after an accident. Luckil

thing comes out. He takes

ked like you were under pressure and your b

bab

mediately, feeling much bette

tes such contrast with the way I sounded

refers to remain anonymous," he says, clasping his hands in front of him

try to sit up again. "How ... why

oves. "Someone named Lara is outside

wide open. I should have known

*

lence of the engine sounds deafening. She takes her time pullin

time she has spoken to me since she got to the hosp

from quivering. It has been years now. I

y voice coming out as a whimper

knuckles have tightened into fists on h

spers harshly. "Today is a very important day for Ava, my daughter.

me yet. I follow her out of the car, walking th

abruptly, and I al

on't want to smell your lousy self around. Or you return to the hospital

pping into the cozy space. A sharp pain slices through my chest at

ng to the spot, when I see the eerily famili