I drowned in it.
Screaming, I came awake. And, just like the blood, I couldn't stop. I just kept screaming and screaming, covering my face as I tried to get it through my stupid brain that I had never contracted tuberculosis. That had never happened. You'd think a brain would be reasonable. It should have recognized a nightmare and the impossible occurrences in one. Even if I had come down with the disease, I wouldn't have filled the hold with blood.
But my brain wasn't currently in charge.
“Salina!” Someone got in bed with me. Strong arms wrapped around me. A scent that registered as home invadedmy senses, sinking through the terror. “Shh, now, sugah. We're here. We've got you. Nothing's gonna hurt you.”
We. That should have registered. It didn't. I was too grateful to be held. Too grateful to have someone there when I needed them. I didn't care who it was. Just make it stop. Make the crazy go away.
And they did.
They pressed in around me, filling my bed. One even leaned across my lap and rubbed my belly as if I were a dog. The other two sandwiched me. The man on my right nuzzled my neck while the guy on the left kissed my forehead. I was enveloped in adoration. It pulsed and poured into me. There was no feeling as wondrous as this warm, loving security.
The screaming stopped.
My brain began to work.
Then the identities of those who were giving me the wonderful feelings registered.
“What the fuck?!” I screeched, my whole body convulsing to get them off me. I jumped to my feet on the bed as they tumbled away to lie on the floor like fallen soldiers and gape up at me. “What the actual flying fuckity fuck do you think you're doing?!”
“You screamed,” Cyrus said. “We had to come in.”
Jake grunted.
“You sounded terrified, Sal,” Lex said.
“Sal?” I snarled. “Did you just call me Sal, like I'm a fat old man working the griddle at a greasy spoon?”
Jake chuckled as he stood up.
Lex shot Jake a look.
“He told you not to call her that,” Cyrus said to Lex.
“Hey! Fuckoos?” I jumped off the bed and landed in a sailor's stance. “I don't care! Get out!” I pointed at the door. “Now. Before I kick your asses.”
Jake grunted again.
“What's with you?” I nodded at Jake. “You had so much to say the other night. Now, you're suddenly the Witcher?”
“Oh, good reference,” Lex said.
“He spoke to you?” Cyrus asked. “Like how much?”
“A whole fucking soliloquy.” I threw my hands upward. “Why?”
“Because Jake doesn't talk unless he has something important to say.” Lex looked at Jake.
Jake shrugged.
“Great, I got shackled to two Jays and a Silent Bob.” I rolled my eyes. “How fun. Now, thanks for the assist. I'm still getting used to my past lives affecting my new one. But . . . hold on. How the hell did you hear me scream?”
Cyrus cleared his throat.
Lex winced.
Jake said, “We were outside.”
