28. Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Daniella

The darkness is thick and suffocating. I’m floating in a void, untethered and lost. I can hear voices, but they’re distant, like echoes from a faraway place.

I try to reach out, to grasp onto something solid, but there’s nothing. Just the overwhelming weight of exhaustion and pain.

Slowly, the darkness begins to recede. I can feel the soft hum of the car engine beneath me, the gentle sway as we move. The pain in my body is still there, but it’s muted, a dull throb in the background.

I force my eyes open, blinking against the harsh light. The car’s interior comes into focus and I see Renee sitting beside me, her face pale and drawn. She’s holding my hand, her grip tight and reassuring.

“Renee?” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

She looks down at me, relief flooding her eyes. “Hey, you’re awake. How are you feeling?”

“Like I’ve been hit by a truck,” I manage to say, trying to smile but wincing at the pain.

“You’re safe now,” she says, her voice soft. “We’re taking you home.”

“Lorenzo?” I ask, fear gripping my heart. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine,” she reassures me. “He’s right behind us.”

I close my eyes, relief washing over me. “Thank God.”

Renee squeezes my hand. “We’re almost there. Just hang on a little longer.”

The rest of the ride is a blur. I drift in and out of consciousness, the pain and exhaustion pulling me under. When the car finally stops, I’m vaguely aware of being lifted and carried. The voices around me are familiar, comforting.

“Easy now,” someone says, their voice gentle. “We’ve got you.”

I’m placed on a soft surface, and I feel the warmth of a blanket being draped over me. The pain is still there, but it’s distant, a reminder of everything I’ve been through.

“Renee?” I whisper, my voice weak.

“I’m here,” she replies, sitting beside me. “You’re safe now. Just rest.”

I close my eyes, too tired to fight the darkness any longer. As I drift off, I can hear the sounds of the house around me, the voices of the people who care about me. For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel safe.

The darkness pulls me under again, but this time, it’s different. It’s not the suffocating void I felt before. It’s a peaceful, restful sleep, and I let it take me, knowing that I’m surrounded by people who will protect me.