Relief And Worry

I opened my eyes for real this time. They went immediately to the window. It was even darker than I remembered, and I wondered how long I'd been gone."

"Jazz." Troy was abruptly at my side, sitting beside me on the bed. Relief covered his entire face like a blanket.

"Where are we?" I rubbed at my temples, trying to regain my bearings.

"We're still in the gargoyle realm," he said. His eyes shone with unshed tears. "I didn't think you were coming back to me." With infinite care, he brushed some hair off my forehead.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Eleven days." He scooted closer. "You look better, like you've eaten."

I glanced down at my hands. "I did."

"Oh?" He was understandably alarmed by the revelation. "How?"

I touched the wooden bear on my wrist. "Christopher," I said plainly, knowing I needed to tell the truth.

"That's impossible." His voice was hard. "I've been with you the whole time and he hasn't been here."

"Well," my voice lifted along with my gaze. "He was able to reach m