Chapter 5

 

29 Hours 20 Minutes

 

Wednesday 3:42 p.m.

 

Strapped down on my back, everything around me moves quickly. The lights flash like I’m on a train looking out the window. My head is spinning, and my eyes won’t stay open for more than a second or two. Leaning my head to the right, my stomach spasms, and I vomit all over myself and the floor. A few minutes later, I drift off once more into nothingness.

* * *

The rhythmic pounding around me is terrifying. I open my eyes and see gray, curved walls inches from my face. What is that noise? It sounds like I’m in a jet engine. I try to turn my head, but it won’t move. I try to raise my arms, but they won’t move either. It feels like everything is pressing in on me. My head feels like it will explode, and my breathing becomes rapid and shallow. Attempting to scream, I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. My eyelids are so heavy they won’t stay open.

* * *

The same soft voice calls again. “Ivy, wake up. It’s time to wake up.”

Squinching my eyes, I force them open. Detective Benson is sitting next to me, holding my hand. My vision is still blurry, but I can see it’s him. The jet noise is gone. The room is silent except for the intermittent sounds from the surrounding machines. I shift just a little. I can move my head and arms now. A bag of liquid hangs from an infusion pump and drips through an IV tube leading to my hand. The IV line hinders my movement. I know I’m in a hospital, but I don’t know why.

I look at the detective. “Hey.” My words seep out just above a whisper.

“Hey there, I’ve been worried about you.” Detective Benson emphasizes his concern by squeezing my hand and smiling. “The doctor says you’ll be fine, good as new, in a couple of days.”

Squirming, I try to push myself up to get out of bed.

“Whoa there, missy! Not so fast,” he cautions, gently guiding my shoulders back down onto the pillows. “You’re not quite ready to take off just yet, kid. The ice you fell on was a little harder than your head.” He chuckles. “Let’s slow down a bit before we have another bashed head to deal with.”