“I’ve got you.” Donald sat beside her on her hospital bed and tucked her close. “It was a bad dream is all.”
“I thought I was back with Alex. That wouldn’t be a bad dream.” She grasped the blanket, one perfectly knit by machine, its tag stating it was one-hundred percent wool and made in Scotland. Out the high-rise window, other cold, colorless high-rises loomed.
Below, moving cars and occasional honks signified life moved on, but not for her. Donald had brought her here, straight from the ruins ten days ago. He’d visited her each day, along with his father.
“I’ve got to get out of here.”
“Yes, but the doctor won’t release you until you can keep your food down. Time travel clearly didn’t agree with you.”
“I’ve never been sick like this in my life.” She flicked the stand holding the bag that fed her much-needed nutrients. “It’s like I’m living between worlds, or times, here but not here.” She gripped his collar with shaky hands. “Did you find out any information on my parents?”
“Dad’s researching as we—”
“I’ve made a breakthrough.” William marched into the room. He tugged off his woolen jersey and slung it over the back of the padded chair near the window. Seated, he leaned forward, hands clasped over his knees. “I received confirmation this morning. There’s no evidence of any death certificates being issued for either of your parents.”
“Then where are they?” She had no way to contact them. After the fire had destroyed her childhood home, she’d purchased a small unit a few streets over, not wanting to be too far away, although not wanting to rebuild. If she could get out of here, fly home, then she could actually begin to search for them. “I have to leave, and you two have to help me escape.”
“Not until the doctor releases you for travel.”
“Dad’s right.” Donald took her hands and slowly eased them from his collar. “Look at your skin. It’s almost translucent.” Turning her hands over, he scrutinized them. “I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
“The doctor took more blood this morning, and I’m washed out because she did.” She squeezed his fingers. “I’m so grateful you and William have stood by me, but I’ve got to get out of here. My parents aren’t dead. My letter must have reached them.”
She’d told them of her wish, that her parents survive the terrible fire which took them. That Annie be allowed to travel through time as she wished, but also that she not be taken from Alex. She had been, although her heart was still with him. She should have made her wish more clear.
“Anne, I have the results from your blood test.” Her matronly doctor strode in, one hand clamped on a stethoscope dangling around her neck. She crossed and perched beside her. “The results are conclusive.”
“Is it bad?” A shiver chased down her spine. Don’t let it be bad. She had to get out of here.
“I know you took precautions against pregnancy a few years ago, but you’re pregnant all the same.”
Oh, and she’d told Alex that couldn’t happen Wow, she was pregnant. Sure, she may not have wished for it, but since she didn’t have the man, having a part of him like this was a dream.
“Your morning sickness is rather severe, and began quite quickly. We’ll need to continue treatment until you show some signs of improvement.” Dr. MacKinnon patted her arm. “You have particularly low iron levels, and I want you to begin taking some supplements. Once your levels are up and you’re able to eat then I’ll look at discharging you.” She rose to her feet, dug into her pocket and removed a bottle. “At least we finally have the answer for your illness. I want you to start taking these tablets immediately.”
She gripped the plastic container and nodded at the doctor. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Try and get some rest, and if you have any questions, we’ll chat on my next round.” She strode out the door.
“Here’s some water.” William passed her a glass from the side table.
She swallowed the meds then dropped the bottle into the pocket of her fleecy pink pajamas. Donald had brought her luggage when she’d been admitted. He’d even paid her hotel bill. She owed both him and William more than she could ever repay.
She rose and lugged her IV stand toward her drawers. She pulled out her travel documents, including her passport. “We have to get serious on finding my missing parents since I’m trapped in this room for who knows how long.”
“At least there’s no record of their deaths,” Donald stated. “That’s a start, although I wish you had some living relatives Dad and I could call. It’d make things so much easier.”