Page 1 of Aftershock
PROLOGUE
Lilith
Seven years ago
“On three,” a man calls out.
It’s not the same one who kept telling me to stay with him on the ride here, to the hospital. His voice was a little high-pitched.
This new man’s voice is deeper. Low, steady.
Reassuring.
But I can’t focus on it for too long. There are hands touching me. Each one lands on a bruise. A cut. My arm, I think it might be broken.
Mom really went all out tonight.
“One…” a woman starts counting.
Please, be careful. Everything hurts.
As much as I want to say these things, it’s hard. My throat is raw and scratchy from screaming. Even if it weren’t, I’m too drained to speak.
Maybe if I open my eyes, they’ll see what I’m trying to tell them.
I try. Try. Try.
And fail.
My swollen eyelids are too heavy. My entire body is.
Dammit.
“Two…” she continues, unaware of my rising panic.
I can’t handle any more pain tonight.
Please.
“Three.”
Oh, God.
I brace for impact as I’m lifted off the gurney and onto the hospital bed. My teeth lock. Pulse blaring in my ears.
And…
The backs of my eyes heat as relief washes over me.
The landing isn’t soft, but it’s not nearly as bad as I thought it’d be.
No time to relax, though.
We’re moving.
“Okay, sweetheart, stay with me.” It’s the woman again, trying to comfort me, I think.
If I could speak, I’d tell her she’s doing a great job. That every kind word anyone says in this room helps more than she knows.
