Page 161 of Fractured Future

Terror cracks through me. “What about Luis?”

“We almost had him, Em. When we heard the gunshots and realised you were gone, we split fast to find you. I’m sorry, but Luis escaped. He’s in the wind.”

“Shit! This is all my fault.”

“He’ll turn up soon enough. The good news is that Diego is dead.”

At the mention of his name, I clamp down on a rush of perplexing emotions. Of all the people to intervene and halt whatever Diego had planned, I didn’t expect it to be Blaine.

“Let’s focus on you now. The rest can wait.”

At the feel of his thumb caressing my cheek, I find a timid nod. “You don’t have to stay. I’ll be fine alone.”

“I told you that we look out for each other,” he whispers back. “Through thick and thin.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ve got you, Em.”

Calling Doctor Fawn’s name, Warner entwines his hand with mine as we wait for him to return. The clinician returns, standing opposite our two chairs.

He looks between us questioningly. “Ember?”

“Go ahead.” I nod in consent.

“Right.” Doctor Fawn clears his throat. “Well, as you know, we performed an EEG, CT scan and several different blood tests. We determined that what you experienced was an intense, post-traumatic seizure.”

When I remain silent, Warner speaks up.

“Can you explain what that means?”

“While there are different types, seizures are essentially bursts of electrical activity in the brain. This can temporarily affect a person’s muscle control and behaviour. It can even cause a loss of consciousness.”

Staring down at my sock-covered feet, I let his words beat over me in a ceaseless wave. Hearing the doctor outline every way I’m vulnerable against my own damaged body is excruciating.

This is precisely why I didn’t want anyone to know. The lack of control is scary enough. Knowing anyone can see, target and exploit those weaknesses is petrifying.

“Some people may experience convulsions or spasms. There can be visual disturbances—flashing lights, floating orbs, loss of vision altogether.”

“Convulsions?” Warner repeats in alarm. “Aren’t they dangerous?”

“Try not to worry too much. It’s important to cushion the person’s head during a seizure and ensure there is no tight clothing around their neck. Mostly they need reassurance that they’re not alone.”

Hell, I can already hear the gears in Warner’s head turning as he takes mental notes. He loves an action plan. For some reason, that intensifies my sense of humiliation. I don’t want to be just another problem.

“People who suffer from seizures may also have mood swings.” Doctor Fawn addresses both of us. “Bursts of anger or crying fits. And bouts of dizziness, chronic headaches, weakness or fatigue.”

“We get it,” I grit out. “Move on.”

“Em,” Warner scolds under his breath.

“What?”

“This is important. I need to know what to look out for if you’re going to have another episode.”

“You don’t need to look out for anything. This is my problem.”

“If you think I’m going to watch?—”