Page 99 of Fractured
“What language is that?” A distant male voice says.
“German.” a soft female voice says, and something cold rubs on my forehead.
I know that voice; I know her? I love her.
“Ich kenne dich, bist du meine Anna?” (I know you? Are you, my Anna?”)
“Hier im Fleisch, Baby.” (Here in the flesh, baby.)
“I didn’t know she could speak German.” I try to open my eyes and focus on what a male voice says. But cool hands hold my cheek and turn my face. And I look at her. It’s Anna. And I cry. She’s here. The relief and the ache in my chest from missing her hits me hard. I never sent any of her letters. How did she find me?
I grab her and sob, “I missed you. Oh God, how I missed you.” She holds me close and rubs my back. Carlos’ sad eyes come flooding my brain and I pull back and look at her. Panic seizes my chest.
“Anna, we have to go. They found me. Help me.” Begging, I try to pull the covers back and she holds my hand still. I look at her and she’s crying. She’s crying so hard now, and I shake my head. I feel dizzy, but I know we need to move now before they catch us.
“Oh love, you have to stay in bed, Izzy. You’re sick, honey, and it’s not good for the baby.”
I wrestle my hands away from her and grab my tummy. She’s still there, and I close my eyes. And open them again and try to sit up.
“Anna, he doesn’t know. I kept her my secret.” The tears roll down my face now. “Anna, he’ll take her, like he took everything else away. And I can’t go home either; she’ll be all alone.”
Anna wipes my eyes now, and she hugs me. I don’t understand what is happening.
“It’s okay, love. I got you. Just rest for now. You’re safe in our dorm, remember? Our safe room.”
Oh, thank God, I smile and lay back on the pillow. “Can we watch Harry Potter? I like Deadpool, but I think I’d like my HP fix.”
“What is happening? Is she hallucinating?” Strong hands wipe the hair from my face, and I turn into them. They smell good.
Another male voice talks, and I don’t know who it is. “She has a fever and isn’t thinking clearly; it’s like a fever dream. Once her temperature goes down, she’ll be okay. Just for right now, do and say whatever to keep her calm. And that means she needs to believe she’s still free. We need to keep her stress levels low for the baby.”
All I hear is not free. I try to bolt up and grab Anna’s hand. “I’m not free? We need to go.”
Anna's voice is soft and cracks as she rubs my hand. “No, remember the baby? She is tired and needs to rest. Remember?”
I lie down, curl up, and hold my tummy. “She’s mine, Anna. She will love me forever. He can’t take that from me. Not my father, not Alexander. She is my everything.”
Anna strokes my hair, “That’s right, so lay down love and sleep. She needs rest.”
“Okay. I love you, Anna.” We are safe. Safe, that’s all that matters. She needs rest. So, I allow myself to drift off.
I toss, turn, and try to get comfortable. Why is it so hot here? My mouth is dry, and I need water. I try to roll over, large hands roll me back, and I blink up into the most beautiful set of gray eyes I have ever seen.
“What is it? What do you need, baby?” His voice sounds ethereal in my ears.
I lick my lips, but nothing comes out. Those eyes are so pretty.
“Water? You need some water?” I just nod.
This is my angel; it has to be. He is perfect. He puts a straw in my mouth, and I suck up a little bit before swallowing. I suckup too much and begin to choke on it, and he sets the glass down and rubs my back, bringing me to his chest. Warm arms encircle me, and, for some reason, I feel safe.
We are lying side by side and I can see his eyebrows creased. I don’t like seeing them like that, so I take my shaky finger and run it along his forehead, and he closes his eyes.
“You’re beautiful.” I exhale.
His eyes pop open, and that makes me smile. I must be dead, and he’s my guide. He’s too beautiful not to be an angel.
“You’re an angel, right?” He just shakes his head no. I trace his lips and then take my hand away. You’re not supposed to touch angels.
