A WEEK LATER

The hospital smelled of antiseptic and fresh linens.

And the continuous beeping of monitors filled the air.

Seraphina shifted just a bit on the bed, feeling the dull ache sting in her muscles.

She had been through hell and back, but at least she was alive.

Her parents sat beside her, both looking much better but her father, however, was in a wheelchair, looking absolutely unhappy with it.

“I can walk, for God’s sake,” he grumbled in his thick Italian ...