Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

AURORA

P ounding. Pounding. Pounding.

I groaned and pulled the lumpy pillow over my head.

The pounding continued.

My eyelids felt too heavy to lift.

The pounding got louder.

I moaned and curled up tighter, hating how my stomach cramped from hunger.

I could hear shouts in the distance.

"Aurora! Aurora! Open this damn door!"

Pounding. Pounding. Pounding.

Why was it so hot?

I kicked my legs, but the blanket remained tangled around them.

Every movement felt heavy and bogged down.

Pounding. Pounding. Pounding.

"Stop," I groaned. "Please, stop the pounding."

I lifted my hands to cover my ears.

There was a crash of splintering wood, but it sounded like it came from down a long, dark tunnel.

"Goddammit, Aurora? Aurora!"

Strong hands grabbed my shoulders and lifted my torso. My head was too heavy to hold up. It rolled back on my shoulders.

"Baby, I'm here. I'm here now. You're safe."

"Roman?"