Chapter 35

Nessie

I was vaguely aware of a cool hand stroking my forehead, a soft voice humming close to my ear. I couldn't see anything in the pitch darkness, and was a little alarmed until I realized that my eyes were closed. I wanted to laugh at my own silliness, but every part of me hurt too badly. I tried in vain to open my eyes, then quickly gave up as the effort exhausted me.

I was struggling to stay conscious, fighting the blackness that threatened to overtake me. Every few minutes I felt like I was here, and then not here. I kept slipping under and then resurfacing to the same comforting voice and touch. I knew I wouldn't be able to fight it much longer. I just felt so heavy, and all I wanted to do was sleep… but Jacob had been here! This realization shocked my system like a bolt of electricity, bringing me back from the brink. His voice, his smell, his touch, had been like sweet miracles, washing over me and lifting my spirit…and then he was gone. Why did he go away? A wrenching sadness brought stinging tears to my eyes. I remembered that I had been hurt, been in some sort of accident maybe, but I couldn't recall exactly what had happened to me. Maybe Jake had just gone to get help…

I must have slipped into the blackness again, because the next thing I heard was the golden tones of Carlisle's voice, soothing me, telling me over and over that I was going to be alright. I felt his fingertips gently probing my body, searching for broken bones and other injuries.

"…carlisle?…" my voice sounded foreign to me, so small and far away.

"…yes nessie…..I'm here…going to be alright…." his voice echoed down to me from a great distance. I tried to smile, then whimpered as a sharp pain flared in my head.

"….shhh, sweetheart…..don't…talk…" That was Esme. It was so good to hear her voice, that was so much like a lilting lullaby, a mother crooning to her child. How I wished I could open my eyes and see her face…

"….mom….dad?" I questioned. Knowing that Carlisle and Esme were beside me made me ache to see my parents again.

"They're coming, darling," Esme assured me. "Just try to relax and don't worry about anything."

"…kay…" I whispered. I felt a slow, sinking sensation throughout my body, and little by little, the world around me went away.