Chapter 19: Kali

19

KALI

I wake and take a sip of icy water from a cool glass that's pressed to my lips. I'm parched. Every tiny movement hurts, even swallowing, but my throat is dry and scratchy, and my head is pounding.

Something hard rests against my lips, and a deep, masculine growl tells me he expects me to eat.

Tentatively nibbling on a bar that smells like nuts but tastes like chalk, I grumble, turning my head and pushing it away, despite my stomach feeling empty, and my limbs heavy.

Sighing, the man sits back, but I can still feel the weight of his stare. Then I feel liquid dribble over my cracked lips and the soft brush of his thumb as he holds my chin steady.

I lap up a few drops, but swallowing is painful, so I close my lips and keep them firmly shut.

Despite trying as hard as I can, I can't open my eyes. I'm vaguely aware of hands sweeping gently over my skin, spreading a cool balm over me and calming my ragged nervous system. Eventually, I give up fighting exhaustion, my mind melting back into the darkness, and my body going slack. I need to rest.

Maybe tomorrow.