Chapter 77. Retrograde Amnesia

Joan POV

It was dark, but I could hear the voices. Familiar ones. I wanted to open my eyes, but they were too heavy. I wanted to cry out for help, but my voice wouldn't come. Still, I could hear them.

"Hey, Jo. How are you doing today?" It was Aaron. I wanted to tell him I wasn’t okay, that everything hurt, but no words would come. His fingers brushed against my hand, warm and reassuring.

"Open your eyes for me, kitten. I fucking miss you." His voice was strained, thick with something raw. My lips wouldn’t move. When had speaking become so difficult?

"I miss you too." The words echoed in my mind, but the darkness pulled me under before I could force them out.

When I surfaced again, I had no idea how much time had passed. The room was silent now, still shrouded in that same suffocating darkness. My body ached in places I couldn’t name. I stayed still, listening, hoping someone would come.

The quiet broke wi