Thirteen

The smell of antiseptic and bleach hit Adara before she even opened her eyes. When she did, everything was blindingly white.

She hated sleeping so much. She was so unaware of everything once she slipped into the land of her subconscious. It made her feel unnecessarily vulnerable, especially with Gabe around. And she always missed a lot of important things. Even then, she didn't recognize anything in the room.

Except for the figure slumped in the chair next to her bed.

Beck didn't look very tired, just like he'd dozed off. There were no bags under his eyes, and his skin had its golden glow. Stupid, pretty boy.

Opening her eyes all the way was hard, though. She reached up to feel what was blocking her, and immediately recoiled. Bandages. Her head throbbed insistently.

But she was in a hospital. With her shirt off and in a hospital gown. That was not good.

Gabe had always told her to never set foot in a hospital. Had always told her that it would be a danger to him.