Tina awoke to the sound f her brother’s voice talking to someone. The bed she was in was comfortable, but it wasn’t her own. One of her ears were still ringing and her chest felt sore. She sat up and attempted to call her brother, “Ed-…” she cleared her throat and was still hoarse, “Eddie!” she said louder. This time he’d heard her, he came into the room and saw that she was awake and she looked weary. Her eyes were still shut and her body was so small now and she could barely sit up straight.

“I got you Chrissy. I got you.” he said rushing over to her before she fell trying to stand up. He picked her up and carried her into the living room, propping her up on the couch. Kit was seated in a chair away from them as she just watched him take care of her.

“Where are we?” she whispered her eyes were still shut, they burned with them closed but they burned even more when she tried to open them.

“You’re in my house. You’re safe.”

“Who are you?” she asked turning towards Kit’s voice. Kit didn’t know what to say so she and Eddie stared at each other for a second. Kit could only smile she never thought that she’d have to explain herself to her niece.

“I’m Kit. A friend of the family.”

“Well where are we?” she asked finally getting some feeling back into her legs. The tingles had stopped and the soreness in her chest was starting to subside but it still hurt with each breath.

“You’re safe up here, I promise.”

“Ok, so where are we? Does mother know…”

“Angela doesn‘t need to know where you are.” Kit jumped in immediately regretting letting her anger get the better of her judgment.

“What’s going on here, Eddie?” Tina asked and he still couldn‘t answer her. She squinted her eyes open enough to see that her brother was looking everywhere except her, “Eddie look at me.” she sternly said. He looked down at her and he looked at with an earnest look in his eyes. “Eddie,…What happened?”