Diana
With a start, I jerk up in a panic, my body vibrating with tension as my head whips around the room in alarm; my pupils blown wide as my eyes dart around, looking for the threat. I am completely disoriented and it takes me a full minute before I finally remember where I am, and another, for my racing heart to slow down.
My body sags from the rush of adrenaline and I collapse limply back on the bed, staring up at the dirty ceiling in a daze.
I’m safe…this is a human territory…I’m safe…they haven’t found me… and my mind whispers a dark ‘yet’.
As I bring my breath back under control, I slowly turn on my side, curling up in a fetal position and hugging my knees to my chest. A hiss escapes my lips as the movement sends sharp zaps of pain coursing through my body, reminding me of the multiple aches and bruises on my person. Injuries that I had accrued; more piling on top of the existing ones day after day- injuries I had had no time to treat, much too busy running for my life.
It had