All Clara could feel was the pain and the heat. She didn’t really know what was going on around her. A feeling of grogginess started to seep in. She tried to fight it but her eyes couldn’t stay open any longer.
The burning continued and Clara saw images of the shooting. Glass exploded into the room, as she had ducked for cover her coffee went flying in slow motion its boiling heat had somehow penetrated her skin and was seeping through her. But it was cooling now. It was like someone had dunked a pile of ice into a steaming bath of hot water.
She could hear her name being called, but where was it coming from? She turned her head but couldn’t open her eyes. Her lips parted to speak but she couldn’t find the words.
“Clara, can you hear me?†said the voice. It was a familiar voice, but whose was it?
She moved her head and it felt so heavy to the point that it was hard for her neck to control the movement. She opened her eyes and was startled by the brightness and shut them to slits. Someone was there but she couldn’t quite focus.
“Clara,†he said her name again. Then clarity came, it was Paul.
She wet her lips with her tongue and croaked, “Paul?â€Â
“Are you okay?†he said with deep concern lacing his voice.
Clara opened one eye more than the other to see his worried face. “I think the coffee cooled,†she told and wondered why she said that.
Paul chuckled, “I’m sure it’s cold now. How about you? Has the burning sensation stopped?â€Â
Clara frowned and tried to think but it was as though cotton wool had clogged her thinking. “I think so,†she said uncertainly.
Paul turned to look at someone else. “Can I take her home?†he asked.
Clara tried to turn her head but it was too much effort.
“Not for a while yet, let the drugs wear off,†replied the other voice.
Clara closed her eyes again as it was all too hard to process at the moment.
-
Clara let out a sigh. She felt at ease although there was some discomfort. Someone was stroking their fingers along her lower arm and talking to her quietly. The fingers ran down to the palm of her hand and she closed her fingers around them. She blinked slowly and looked at the ceiling above and wondered where she was.
“Clara,†said Paul’s voice.
She turned her head and saw that it was Paul’s hand that she clutched in her fingers. “What happened?â€Â
“We got caught up in a drive by shooting. I’m assuming it was vampires or slayers because you were hit with silver bullets.†Paul said as he looked at her with concern.
Clara’s brow furrowed, “I got hit in the hip and the arm, didn’t I?â€Â
“Yes,†Paul replied. “I made a bit of a mess on your arm trying to get the bullet out.â€Â
“Doesn’t matter,†Clara said. “Scars give you character,†she said with a smile.
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It was like thousands of voices cried out for a sequel and were suddenly silenced...