Chapter Eight
I was in the bottom of a well, looking up. It was night. I could see the stars. I was cold. I was wet. It was a long way to the top. Voices. The sound of voices echoed down the well. They made my head throb.
I tried to yell, but nothing came out.
Someone’s beeper went off. Voices and a beeper. They were driving me crazy.
At the top of the well, a woman’s face appeared. She smiled at me.
“Melanie?” I called out. “Melanie?”
A spotlight blinded me. Not again. Please, don’t hit me again. Please …
“Melanie,” I mumbled.
“Shhh. Lie still.” Words spoken in a low and reassuring tone. Someone touched my wrist, someone with cool hands. I opened my eyes. I wasn’t in a well. I was on my back, a nurse standing beside me. She was taking my pulse. I lifted my head a bit. Curtains hun
