Chapter 24

 

I fucking hated the pain. Most days it was manageable, but with the spring weather, pills were sometimes my only solace.

I’d spent months pretty much blessedly free from migraines, but they seemed to be back with a vengeance. Between the stiffness and pain, I could find no comfort or reprieve.

Scar tissue tugged, exacerbating my symptoms. It felt like the black hole I’d lived in for years was swallowing me up again.

Lila’s touch seemed the only thing able to soothe me.

“This hurts you a lot, doesn’t it?” she asked as she trailed her fingers down my scar.

“Yes. There were broken bones, sliced muscle, and chewed-up organs. Lots of damage that left lots of problems.”

She felt around at my ribs, digging in a little until she found what she was looking for. Following a line, she counted when she found the remodeling on each rib.

“Five?”

I nodded. She took hold of my hand and placed it against her ribs on the left side in almost the same spot. The same remodeling bumps, only