Chapter 168

Something was wrong. Before Hope even opened her eyes, she was very aware that there was a pain in her head beyond anything she'd ever felt before, and as her eyes cracked open, and sunlight penetrated her pupils, she squinted against the sharp, pulsating pain that filled her entire skull.

Closing her eyes again, she let out a soft groan and moved her hand to her head. She couldn't remember much of anything, nor could she place where she should be. It seemed like she was in her own room, in her own cabin, but that didn't quite seem right.

"Hope? Are you awake?"

The voice also didn't match her last recollection. It sounded like her mother, and then her father, calling her name, and rushing to her side. Knowing she'd have to open her eyes again to find out for sure, she braced herself and then slowly opened one eye and then the other.