⋆ Chapter 15: Aftermath

The steady beep of a monitor was the first thing Valerie heard. Her eyes fluttered open, the ceiling lights above blurring until her vision steadied. A dull, throbbing ache pulsed at the back of her skull.

She was in a hospital bed, wearing a pale-blue gown. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic.

Wh...