The bright white light seared into Willow’s eyes. She quickly pulled the blanket over her face, groaning. A sharp pain shot through her side. With a gasp, she pressed her hands to her side. She felt a thick bandage and the night came screaming back. She struggled to sit up, blinking in the morning sun that was streaming through the high window above her.

She was on a narrow wooden bed. The room lacked any personal touches and had the antiseptic smell of a hospital but she knew she ...