Chapter 21

The sun was preparing to go home when I woke. I realized I had slept through the day, and it was the best slumber I’ve had since locking myself in here. I felt better than I had before. My fever had gone down considerably, my eyes no longer hurt, the goosebumps were nowhere to be found on any part of my body, and the cold and my quivering had reduced drastically. The migraine had come down to a slight ache that was barely felt. My bones were happier than ever, and my joints were too. Though I was still lying on the bed, I was quite aware of my surroundings. I wasn’t ready to get up yet; I was feeling too lazy. I was almost healthy, and I could feel my ill system getting reinvigorated. And it was all because of Hailen. Where’s she? I turned to lift myself up from the bed when I saw her. She was sitting close to the wall, facing the bed, on the low stool — the only furniture in the room — watching me."You’re awake, Hazel."She beamed wide and bright. Her eyes roamed the length of my body,