Trying to Survive

“…ake up!” Blurred sounds reached my ears. Someone was shouting. “Killian!” It was a raspy… angry voice. “Wake up!”

A high-pitched tone rang in my ears, and a scorching pain spread across my cheek. A slap. Then another one.

“Wake the fuck up!” the voice thundered.

My eyes refused to open no matter how hard I tried. The hoarse yelling didn't stop. It was a man's voice… I knew that voice…

“Kaiden,” I murmured, or so I thought.

“Killian… open your eyes.” His command was firm despite the raspiness of his pain-threaded voice.

I forced my body to listen and instantly groaned as the bright light blinded me. I blinked, struggling to adjust my sight as the rest of my senses collected the pieces of this chaotic situation. I was lying on the floor, my body rattling because of odd vibrations.

“Where... are we?” I croaked, my throat drier than the Sahara desert.

“On the plane… our plane,” Kaiden answered. He was kneeling beside me. He was still in his suit from the conference, minus the tie.

I suc