Chapter Seventy-Two

"Chiara?"

The voice sounds so distant. It's like I'm in a tunnel and there's someone shouting at me from the other end. I try to open my eyes, I really do, but I can't. I feel like I'm floating, for some reason. I try again, but my eyelids just feel so heavy. I could be in trouble, but even that isn't enough to get me to open my eyes.

Have I died? Is this what death feels like?

"Chiara? Can you hear me?"

I can't open my eyes, but I could at least try to speak. The problem is that my mouth is so dry, it's like I've swallowed a mouthful of sand and grit. I lick my lips, but there isn't any moisture in my tongue. I need water, but how to ask for it when I don't even know where I am? "Where am I?" I ask in a faint voice.

"I'm Dr. Pettito, you're at St. Lucia's Clinic." Clinic? I'm not at Russo’s house? This gives me enough strength to crack my eyes open. The light above stings my eyes, though, so I scrunch them before trying again. I wish I could use my hand to shield my eyes, but th