Despite the enveloping darkness, that voice was crystal clear.
It was the one she had been longing to hear.
It gave Raegan the strength to swim upward, finally seeing a sliver of light.
She pushed herself toward that light.
The noise of a sliding door pulled Raegan back from the depths of her dream.
She opened her eyes slowly, fighting the heaviness in her head.
As her sight came into focus gradually, she saw a tall, striking man walking toward her.
His deep, calm eyes seemed to jolt her mind awake.
Tears streamed down Raeganâs face uncontrollably.
âMitchelâ¦â
With a mix of eagerness and disregard for anything else, Raegan stumbled to her feet and rushed toward him.
He caught her gently, whispering, âBe careful.
â
Raegan hugged him close, burying her face in his chest.
There were so many things she wanted to say, but she found herself at a loss for words.
He gently rubbed her back, his voice soothing.
âYou seem thinner.
Havenât you been eating well?â
Raegan was too overwhelmed to talk.
She simply held onto him, sobbing non-stop.
âs BunnyBookery He let out a sigh, sounding utterly helpless.
âRaegan, you need to be strong, okay?â
Raegan just shook her head.
She wanted to tell him, âI donât want to be strong.
I just need you by my side.
â But her words wouldnât come out.
It was as if something was stuck in her throat.
Bending down, he softly wiped her tears with his thumb, whispering, âCome on.
Donât cry.
Your eyes are puffy like walnuts.
â
Raegan attempted a smile, yet the tears kept flowing.
âRaegan, Iâm really worried about you,â he admitted.
Raeganâs body shook, feeling a chill to her core.
She realized something.
Her hands tightened into fists, clutching at the air.
Raegan watched him walk away, his figure blurring and fading until it disappeared.
She couldnât see him any longer.
âMitchel!â she finally shouted.
But all Raegan saw and felt were the bare white walls and the chill of the room.
Nothing moreâ¦
âRaegan!â A voice Raegan knew all too well called out.
Raegan turned her head almost without thinking.
The door swung open, and there was Nicole.
Nicole hurried over and wrapped Raegan in a tight embrace, tears in her eyes, saying, âYouâre finally awakeâ¦â
Raegan had lost a great deal of weight.
After a long embrace, Nicole pulled back and shared, âErickâs back, and Janeyâs with Annis.
They havenât been told yetâ¦â