Chapter 24
Slowly, I begin to return to consciousness. I can feel my head pounding and hunger tearing at my stomach. Where am I? Am I dead? Suddenly, worry takes over my body. I sit up much too fast and my head spins, but all I can think about is if Gabriel is okay. When the world stops spiraling and returns to normal, I take in my surroundings. White is everywhere. The room resembles one in a hospital or infirmary. My eyes scan the room looking for the baby.
"He's awake! Get him food and water pronto," a voice shouts from a nearby room. The clicking of heels draws my attention.
"Hi sweety. Now I know you must be confused, but everything is going to be alright." I can feel panic rising, something is not right here.
"Where's Gabriel! What did you do to him?" My screams come out as pained croaks. My eyes sting and dappen with tears.
"Now just take a deep breath. You're safe now. Nobody is going to hurt you." Her soft voice lours me to sleep, but I fight to stay conscious.
"I am not going to calm down until I get some answers." My mouth waters and the hunger in my stomach becomes unbearable, when I see the food on the Nurse's tray. She lays the tray down on my lap and gestures for me to begin eating. I tentatively inspect the food, then wolf down everything on the plate. My hands fumble for the water bottle on the bed side table. I hadn't realized how weak I was.
"Here." The nurse says as she hands me the metal canteen. Water trickles down my throat and revives my cracked mouth. "Now that you are fed, I will tell you what happened. When we saw you in the snow storm, we were quite alarmed but happy to have new guests. The President, Henry Gallows, ordered someone to go check on you. So, I ran out and saw you passed out on the sled. You were incredibly cold and,"
"What about Gabriel!" I intervene.
"Oh, well thats what I wanted to talk to you about." The nurse with a sweet voice, caring eyes, and beautiful golden curls suddenly becomes evil and daunting as she says, "Honey, Gabriel is dead."
End of Book 1