“How long was I out?” The question slipped out on a gasp.
Dr. Marren leaned closer, his brow furrowed.
“Remarkable,” he breathed.
Ingela froze behind him, pale and rigid.
“I stitched her up myself,” she whispered. “She was torn apart.”
Will edged closer. His eyes searched me, like he didn’t recognize what he was seeing.
“Even the stitches are gone,” Ingela added, almost to herself.
Dr. Marren’s expression hardened. “This is unnatural.”
The word hit me like a blow.
I didn’t know how I was still alive. Didn’t know why the wounds were gone. Didn’t know what any of it meant. And the way they all stared told me they didn’t either. Worse—it told me they wouldn’t stop until they found out.
They wouldn’t let me walk out of there. They would never let me go. They would keep me trapped here forever, cutting into me, taking pieces of me.
You can’t tell anyone, they won’t understand.
Licia’s voice tore through me, clearer than any memory had a right to be. She had known. She had always known.
And now it was too late.
The doctor turned away, scribbling furiously on his clipboard, murmuring to Ingela.
“No infection. No inflammation. Full epithelial regeneration,” he muttered. "Case must be reported immediately. We may be facing an unprecedented anomaly.”
Ingela nodded, her face pale.
“We must inform the regional board," she said. "She should not be moved until further evaluation.”
I wasn’t even a girl to them anymore. I was a phenomenon. An opportunity. Athingto be studied.
My eyes found Will’s with a silent plea.
“What do you want to do?" he asked, keeping his voice low, just for me.
The answer was already burning in my chest.
“Get me out of here.” I whispered.
I threw the blanket off and swung my legs over the edge of the cot. The second they hit the floor, pain jolted through them, sharp, like needles driving into numb flesh. They buckled under my weight.
“Miss, you must remain abed,” the nurse snapped.
The doctor strode forward, his coat flaring behind him.
“Lie down. Now,” he ordered, eyes locked on mine.
“Kera—” Will’s voice cut through the rising panic.
The doctor lunged.
“Get back here!” he barked. His fingers skimmed my shoulder as I lurched back, hip slamming into a metal cart.
