Page 105 of Dancing with the Devil

“Nirah?” I hesitantly said, and a single tear rolled down the corner of her eye.

“No, please,” she mumbled, moving her legs. “Alex—no,” she choked out.

“Hey, baby, open your eyes,” I said standing up. I cupped her face, trying to keep her head still.She’s having a nightmare. “Nirah, open your eyes.”

“Antonio,” she whispered, squeezing her eyes shut. “Help me,” she mumbled, digging her heels into the mattress.

“I’m right here, just open your eyes,” I pleaded. “Please, baby. I need you to open your eyes.”

Her hands gripped my wrists and her eyes shot open in fear. Relief washed over me and I loosened my grip on her face.

“You’re here?” she softly asked, biting her quivering lower lip and tears brimmed in her eyes.

“I’m here,” I nodded and she sadly smiled. I gently wiped her tears away with my thumb and rested my forehead against hers, feeling my heart rate pick up.

All I needed was to know that she would be fine. That soon I would be able to take her home and never leave her side. For the first time in my life, I was hopeful.

I got the doctors in here with no hesitation and stepped back.

I watched as the doctor shone a bright white light into her right eye, then her left—repeatedly. He clicked his flashlight, saying a few words to the nurses and they jotted things down.

“Did you hit your head, Miss Nirah?” the doctor asked and she looked around the room.

“Yes.”

“Did someone hit you?” he asked and I ran my fingers up and down my jaw. She cleared her throat, nodding. “Were you stabbed?” he asked again and I saw the confusion on her face.

“As my doctor, shouldn’t you know that I was?” she asked and Ialmostsmiled, feeling an unfamiliar emotion knowing that she was still her usual self. He pinned her with a knowing look over the rim of his glasses and turned to the nurse. They exchanged a few words again.

“Do you remember what you had for breakfast?” the doctor asked and it took her a second before she shook her head.

“I didn’t have breakfast.”

“Well, what did you have for dinner the night before?”

She licked her lips anxiously. “I didn’t have dinner either,” she frowned to herself.

The nurse looked over at the doctor and he spoke again. “When and what is the last thing you ate, Nirah?”

She thought long and hard for a moment.Why is it taking her so long? Has she not been eating?

“Two days before it happened,” she finally spoke up and I ran my tongue over my top teeth. “I had breakfast in my room. An omelet, I think.”

“Did you consume any liquids for the two days that you hadn’t eaten?”

“Does alcohol count?” she humorously asked and I dropped my head in my hand.

“Nurse, Stacey, please prepare her dinner. Her menu is over there,” he instructed and she nodded, leaving the room soon after.

“So, what’s my diagnosis, Doc?” she asked, trying to sit up but winced at the pain. I rushed over but she stopped me. “I need to get used to that,” she stated and my shoulders relaxed as I sat back down.

“Most importantly, your surgery was a success. Thankfully, your attacker did not hit or damage any vital organs. You did suffer a mild concussion and seizure. Some internal bleeding but we managed to stop that. Your little cuts and bruises will heal soon, so that won’t be a problem.”

“Cool,” she yawned, covering her mouth. “So it’s ano, for dying?” she playfully asked and the doctor looked over at me. “Why so serious you two? I’m kidding,” she chuckled, looking between the two of us.

“Thank you, doctor,” I shook his hand and he left the room.

I threw my head back, taking a deep breath in. Then exhaled.