While I yearned to slide back into unconsciousness, the pain demanded that I get up and take an aspirin or something stronger. Groaning, I lifted a hand toward my forehead and hit…metal. Other aches and pains made themselves known, my back complaining about the hard surface beneath it. My eyes flew open and saw only total darkness. Where was I? I raised both hands this time and slowly traced the cool metal surface encasing me. Oh God. I was in a coffin. Panic shoved aside pain as the bitter taste of bile lined my mouth. My chest heaved and I struggled to breathe. I pounded my fists against the surface over my head and then pushed as hard as I could. What was that? I steadied my hands on the metal and this time rocked. The bottom shifted ever so slightly before rolling back. Not a coffin. The pressure in my chest eased. Think, Nicole. I’d been standing in Dr. Hassenfeld’s office when I’d been attacked. So where could I be? My mind’s eye replayed all the images I had of the room.
