It’s peaceful. I think I might want to stay here to avoid reality. Then I feel a warm hand in mine. A callused thumb is running circles over my thumb. It’s a touch I don’t recognize. They aren’t saying anything, but this gentle motion is so soothing I hope it doesn’t ever end. The room stopped spinning again, and I’m grateful for that, but then reality slams into me all at once when the last memory I have flashes through my brain. I was in Jake’s room with Nate. Jake! My eyes fly open and land on Dax. It was Dax’s touch. I love Dax. I think about how much and how great he is, and then I realize I’m on something. They gave me drugs again. I hate that they make me cloudy. Happy but cloudy. “There you are.” He gives me a gentle smile as his hand releases mine, and he runs his fingers over my forehead, grazing the tape holding the bandages in place. “Here I am.
