Chapter 4: Diana's POV

My eyelids are heavy. My body is sore. Where am I? What am I doing here?

"Diana?" Someone asked.

I couldn't recognize the voice. Was that Tom?I can feel something surround my mouth and some weight on my hands. What happened? I can't remember.

"Come on Diana," the voice prompted again. "It's okay. Open your eyes."

I'm trying. I really am. It's just that my eyelids. They feel like they're glued together. 'Come on Diana, you can do it,' I coaxed myself. I willed my eyes to open and saw a small glimmer of light before I lost my strength.

"It's alright Diana, try again," the voice said.

Whoever this is, doesn't know how hard it is to be unconscious. This time I forced my eyelids open. The light is so strong in the room, that I have to close my eyes again so that they can adjust.

"Diana?" the voice asks again and by now I can recognize it.

It is Tom. But I can't look at him. I'm in too much pain to move.

There's a congestive feeling in my chest that is adding to my discomfort and without any will over my actions I begin to cough.

"Breathe in Diana," Tom instructs me and I force myself to breath in. There's an oxygen mask on my face forcing me to take deep breaths.

He took my hand in his own. It was warm. Then he reached his hand up and caressed my cheek. His fingers moved against my cheek; a slight brush, a tentative caress. It scared me. Why was Tom acting this way? Why were there tears building up in his eyes?

'Tom?" I asked weakly. My voice muffled by the mask. "Where am I? What happened?"

"You're in Virginia Madison," Tom answered. "You're car exploded." The manner in which he delivered the news scared me. His voice was calm and casual but it seemed like he was trying to hold something back. Why was he trying to hide something from me?

"I don't remember…" I said.

"It's okay. You don't have to remember now," Tom said his voice beginning to fill with emotion. "Just try to rest okay."

I finally managed to turn my head in his direction. "Tom, am I dying?"

"No," he tried to assure me his voice turning insistent. "No, Diana, you're not going to die?"

"Are you sure?" I asked, my voice barely audible. I was starting to lose my strength.

"Yes," Tom said. "I'm sure."

"Why are you crying?"

"I'm just," he looked at the floor for a minute. I started to doubt that he was telling the truth. "I'm happy to see you Diana."

"Don't be afraid," I said reaching my opposite hand out to his cheek. I could feel my energy draining and I felt like every moment that I stayed awake would be my last.

"I'm not," Tom insisted. "You're going to be okay Diana."

"You're such a bad liar," my voice sounded like a whisper now. I knew I only had a few moments before the darkness took me again. Suddenly, I felt myself fighting for breath. I was scared. What's happening? My chest is tightening. I can't breathe in.

"Diana?" Tom asked. "What's wrong?" I couldn't respond to him. I was seeing images. The hot chocolate...marshmallows. Car. Blasting cap. Running. Oh god, where's Maia? I heard the heart monitor beside my bed begin to run wild. "Honey?"

"Call…" I managed. "Call…doctor…." My hand began to shake violently.

Make it stop I pleaded in my mind. Please make it stop.

TBC