Hazel

A frantic voice cut through the haze of sleep, "Mrs. Thorn! Mrs. Thorn!" My eyes fluttered open, sluggish and heavy. "But Williams is right here," I mumbled, logic fighting a losing battle against the remnants of a vivid dream.

Another insistent tap jolted me fully awake. A nurse stood beside me; her brow creased with concern. "He's awake, Mrs. Thorn," she stated, her voice clipped. "He's been asking for you… rather insistently, I might add."

My heart hammered against my ribs. “So, it ...