Primordial World: Book 5 (The Primeval Series) by Baileigh Higgins

Author:Baileigh Higgins [Higgins, Baileigh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2024-03-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16 - Ridley

Ridley woke to a crash of thunder, her entire body vibrating like a drum. Rain beat on the roof above, sheets of water pouring through the gutters outside. Brilliant white light penetrated the curtains that covered the windows, mocking the feeble yellow pools cast by the lanterns on the walls.

She stared at the ceiling above her head with a frown, wondering where she was. Slowly, her eyes traveled across the room, but nothing looked familiar. It was a far cry from the whipping post or the concrete cell.

To her surprise, Kira lay sleeping next to her on a stretcher, her breathing smooth and even. A band-aid covered the cut on her cheek; she was dressed in clean clothes and tucked into a warm bed. She looked peaceful, and Ridley was glad her newfound friend was getting some well-deserved rest.

Lifting one hand, Ridley gazed at the catheter sticking out of her flesh. The tube ran up to an IV bag on a stand, the precious liquid feeding into her veins. She guessed it was the reason she felt so much better. The pain in her back was muted, and the fever burned low.

With a pained grunt, Ridley rolled onto her side. It eased the pressure on her back, and she breathed easier. The needle in her arm pinched, but she ignored it, reaching for the glass of water on the nightstand.

Her hand shook, spilling the liquid all over her face and chest, but she got some of it into her mouth. It relieved the worst of her thirst, the parched tissues of her mouth like a sponge. Exhausted by the effort, she put down the empty glass. Her clothes were soaked, but she was too weary to care. The tension in her body faded as her eyes closed, the lull of the rain soothing her frayed nerves until she fell asleep again.

Her sleep was not peaceful. Nightmares plagued her, a mixture of faces and voices from the past. She saw those she had lost, their smiles tainted by sorrow. They reached for her, but she was always just out of reach.

Seth, her father.

Rogue, her mother.

Jessica and Bear, family.

Loki, her faithful companion.

Finally, Ridley jolted awake with a gasp. Her heart pounded against her ribs like a caged animal trying to escape. She wiped the cold sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, taking deep, calming breaths. Beside her, Kira stirred but didn’t wake.

Suddenly, she noticed her full bladder, a dull ache in her groin that insisted on relief. Pushing herself upright, she surveyed the room once more. It was unfamiliar territory, unassuming and bland. She was glad for that. Anything more would’ve been too much for her overwrought senses.

Standing up, she tested the limits of her strength. Her legs wobbled, and her knees felt like jelly, but she stepped forward until she reached the window. A glance showed her the storm was in full swing, and she stared at the scene with awe. She’d seen tropical storms before, but this one was special.

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