Intense pain radiated from behind Carissa's eyes, across to her temples, and around to the back of her head. She whimpered and adjusted her position, but the pain only increased, the throbbing sharp and stabbing.

"Hey, easy." Bradley stood next to her bed, his hands poised to help her sit up.

Suddenly, despite the agony in her head, she was wide awake. "Bradley. You're here."

"I told you I wasn't leaving you here alone tonight," he said, his smile ...