Chapter 33: Numb

As Payton slowly drifted back into consciousness, the first thing she noticed was that Josh was there holding her tight. She felt his slow, steady breathing, and she didn't know what she'd do if he weren't there with her. She couldn't have done this without him; he was her rock through it all. Stretching she felt stiff and sore like she'd been sleeping for weeks, not hours. She hadn't felt anything but stiff and sore from sleeping at the hospital for the past week.

Slipping out of Josh's arms trying not to disturb his sleep, she climbed out of bed and headed to the bathroom. She wasn't sure what time it was, but with how dark it was, she knew it was late, and if she knew what was good for her, she'd get back in bed and try to sleep. She was suddenly wide awake, though, and she didn't feel like going back to bed at all. Instead of going back to her room, she went to the door of her mom's room. She squared her shoulders and before she chickened out, opened the door.