Chapter 99 - Willow

I came back to myself slowly. Almost as if I'd been drugged again, but I knew Ryker would never allow that to happen. The fading heaviness in my limbs was a gradual aching that spoke of life.

"Cupcake?" Ryker asked from behind me. His voice was so hoarse, I could barely understand him.

I nodded. "W-" my throat refused to work.

He jostled behind me. "Let me get some water. Jessa brought some on her last check-in." I felt the bed spring up as he got up. I heard his bare feet pad across the floor. He was back in moments.

His hair was all kinds of crazy. He had bags under his eyes. His beard scruff had turned into an almost full covering.

I took the glass. My hand shook as I lifted it to my mouth. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw dried blood sprinkled over my arms.

I finished the water, handed the glass back to him. "What happened to me?"

He flinched. "I happened to you. I tried everything to bring you back. All the blood is from me pinching you with my fingernails. Y