My eyelids won’t open, but that doesn’t matter as the heaviness in my head grows and I surrender to it.
When they do open, it’s to bright lights.
Beep, beep, beep.
Warmth encloses my hand, and I turn my head.
I haven’t seen my grandmother for the past few years—she and Dad had a big falling out. But she’s the only grandparent I have left and she’s by my bedside.
“Gran?” I croak.
“Do you want some water, sweetheart?”
I nod. I try to sit up, but I’m too weak and my legs—my legs are in traction?
She holds a cup of water to my mouth and I open up as she tips it slightly. The cool water wets my dry mouth, and I sigh with relief.
“Thank you,” I say.
She puts down the cup and takes a seat beside me again.
“What happened?”
Gran gives me a sad smile. “You were in an accident.”
I nod. “I remember that much.”
“I’ll let the nurse know you’re awake. We need to talk about what’s happening.”
My eyes are still heavy, and I can’t argue. I don’t have it in me.
There’s noise around me as Gran talks to someone, and I close my eyes again.
Gran slips her hand into mine, and I turn my head to look at her.
She scans my expression, and her eyes grow sad.
“Cassie? I’m Doctor Ludlow.” A middle-aged man with kind eyes approaches the bed.
I squint. “I’m sorry. The light …”
His eyes widen and he nods. “You’re in a single room, we can turn those off. There’s a lamp above your head.”
“Please.”
People move around me to make the adjustments and the light dims.
“What do you remember, Cassie?” the doctor asks.
“There was an accident. I don’t know what happened. I just remember glass breaking and the force of it, and that was it.”
He nods slowly. “I’m very sorry to be the one to tell you this, but your parents didn’t make it.”
“What?” My heart cracks in two.
“We discussed when to tell you, and your grandmother thought we should be up front with it. I’m so sorry, Cassie.”
“She’s right. I needed to know, but … oh my God.”
