The Burrowers

I woke up to the feeling of being held.

"Lit," I heard a voice wailing, "Oh, Lit. Please wake up."

I was so tired and everything felt fuzzy I lapsed back into sleep.

I could feel cool sheets on my legs and someone distant talking.

"How many times was she shocked?"

"At least four..."

"And she isn't very big either..."

"I'm so sorry," I sensed I was being spoken directly to, "I should have known, believed you."

I felt a warm hand testing the heat of my forehead.

"I think you will be lucky this time," Came the strange voice, "She is slowly coming back to life."

I heard more but it was too far.

When I woke up for real it was nighttime. My one arm was in a sling, and one of my legs had been bandaged. I tried to reach my forehead and found I could not lift my hand.

"Hello..." I croaked out. I could feel the cracks on my tongue for lack of water.