CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

His roughened voice and harsh grip on my head thrashes me into reality. Oh, God, no. No, no no no! I know that voice. Bryce. It’s not possible…

“Let me go!”

I come back into consciousness when I feel a hand on my shoulder. Panic, fear, pain, disgust – it’s all coursing through me and making my body shake.

It was just a dream. Just another stupid dream. Breathe, Sophia. Just breathe.

In and out. Once I’ve calmed, my eyes drift open and I lift my head to see Dr. Lee standing by the foot of the bed. I wipe my eyes and try for a smile, not sure how long I’ve slept.

"I thought you'd want these, his effects that we found on him when he came in."

He hands me a small plastic bag and I take it with shaking fingers. I can see his cell phone, keys, and brown threaded wallet through the clear bag in my hand.

Is this all I have to hold onto? Everything he had on him when he was hit by the semi?

"Has he woken up at all?" The doctor asks, taking Gavin’s chart out from the holder against the wall a