Chapter 24

She sat upright on the bed, gasping for air. Shortness of breath and pain in her bones were the first signs she knew—it was coming back. She was breathing, but the air just wouldn't go in, as though her lungs were surrounded by metal bands. Next came the rising panic and dizziness. She rapidly tapped him on the shoulder to wake him.

“Habiba, are you okay?” he whispered, holding her hands. “I can't... I can't breathe...”

The exertion brought on more breathlessness, like the air around her was devoid of oxygen. Her ribs heaved up and down, but to no benefit. Dizziness. He helped her to get up from the bed, but she slumped.

She knew she was going to faint when her bones crumbled with pain and her head felt light. It was as if her insides were being replaced by a black hole. Then nausea crept from her abdomen to her head—and the world went blank.

“Habiba? Habiba!? No... no... noo... Habiba? Are you there? Please stay with me...”

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