This was a nightmare. My hands had transformed into beast claws.
And that anger. I’d never felt anything like it before. Not in any of my visions. Not ever.
I shivered. Was Mr. Dawson right? Please, God, don’t let Mr. Dawson be right.
The nurse, stinking of fear, rushed in, and stabbed my arm with a needle.
I couldn’t stop the tears as they rolled down my cheeks. Mom’s soft whimpering caught my attention. They were standing outside the curtain, staring at my deformed hands. Only a piece of the shredded white glove hung around my left wrist. Dad’s arms held Mom up as he stared openmouthed.
They looked how I felt.
If this is a dream, I want to wake up now.
“Oh my God. This is my fault.” Dad turned to Mr. Dawson. “Please. Help my daughter,” he whispered as the world faded from view.
Chapter Twelve
I threw the covers off, gasping for breath. Sweat covered my body, thanks to some half-remembered nightmare still fading from my thoughts.
Where was I?
Right, hospital, for my shoulder. Because Dastien had hurt me at the party. I moved it slowly, but it didn’t even twinge. That was a good sign.
I hopped out of bed and the ties to my hospital gown got caught in the IV stand next to the bed. Thankfully it wasn’t hooked up to my arm. I grabbed the tie, and managed to somehow ram my elbow into the hard wall. Tingles exploded up my arm. I rubbed my funny bone as I glanced around. The room was excessively closet-like.
I backed up to take in the room, and fell on top of a springy metal box. Sighing, I turned around to kick the obstacle, but stopped before I made contact.
What the hell. Why was there a cage in my room?
I squatted down to take a closer look. There wasn’t a bowl or food in there like a normal dog kennel, but it was big enough for a large dog. Maybe a Great Dane or a Mastiff. But the cage was spotless inside. I reached out to open it without thinking. The metal bars of the cage were cold on my bare hand, and I pulled my hand away. I hadn’t gotten a vision, but something much worse.
I remembered huddling in the cage. Shaking. Pain. And I remembered needles. Lots and lots of drug-filled needles.
It was way past time for me to get the hell out of here.
I wasn’t going to get far in a hospital gown. I needed something less conspicuous. I frantically searched the wall of cabinets opposite the bed. Anything would do.
I hit the jackpot in a bottom cupboard. A fit-and-flare black cotton dress was neatly folded in the cabinet, along with my favorite worn-in boots and a pair of gloves. I didn’t have time to wonder how my stuff got in there or how I’d gotten to wherever the hell I was. If someone had caged me up like an animal, I wasn’t sticking around long enough to ask questions.
I pulled on my clothes and ran to the door. The knob wouldn’t move. I jiggled it, twisting one way then the other.
Locked. I was so screwed.
High heels click-clacked down the hallway toward the door.
I needed another way out. A tiny window let light in beside the bed, but it didn’t look like it’d open.
The footsteps were getting louder. I was running out of time and options.
I grabbed the IV stand and smashed it through the window, shattering the glass.
The person coming down the hall was running now.
I didn’t look down as I pushed myself onto the windowsill, careful to avoid the glass edges.
The door flew open and a tall, thin woman in a lab coat ran through the doorway. “Tessa! Wait—”
Before I could think better of it, I threw myself out the window.
Three stories up.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I screamed the most girly scream ever as I flipped through the air. My breath ripped from my lungs as I thunked down on the ground. On my feet.
What the…
I didn’t have time to question my luck. I brushed myself off and scanned my surroundings. A courtyard full of kids my age stood frozen, staring at me. Some were wearing backpacks. Others carried books in their hands. One girl stopped with an apple halfway to her mouth. She looked at me like I’d lost my mind. Little did she know, I never really had it to begin with.
This had to be St. Ailbe’s.
I hoped I hadn’t flashed anyone.
Forest encircled the buildings. I picked a direction and prayed it was the right one.
I gave a demure wave. “No time to stop and chat. Things to do. Places to escape from.” I took off running. Something howled, and I glanced behind me.
What the hell? A blond wolf was chasing me.
My day really couldn’t get any better.
I pushed my legs to move faster. My lungs burned, but I kept going.
The forest teased me, only a few yards ahead and I’d hopefully disappear through the brush and trees. Out-running a wolf seemed like a long shot at best, but if I managed to get away from it and find the creek, then I probably could get to my house. Maybe. I’d figure out the rest when I got home.