Chapter 42

“Arec?” Eve called in a weak voice. “Is that you?”

She looked at the door from where she lay curled on the floor. It slowly opened, and she closed her eyes at the light streaming inside, lifting her hand to block the brightness.

“It’s me, honey,” he said, coming into the room and kicking the door shut behind him.

The room was dimly lit, but he could make out the naked form of Eve curled on the ground. He set the tray down on the floor and hurried to her side.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, kneeling beside her and gently touching her shoulder.

“Sore,” Eve said, lifting her head to look at him. “What happened to me?”

“What’s the last thing you remember?” he asked as he helped her sit up and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her.

She melted into him and shook her head.

“I’m not sure,” she said. “I remember going for a walk before dinner. I went into the trees, then….”

Her voice trailed off.

“Then, what?” Arec asked softly. “Do you remember anything after that?