Back at The Central, the hospital room smelled of antiseptic and faint lavender from the diffuser on the windowsill. Kira woke with a violent start, her stomach lurching before her eyes were fully open. Nausea surged up her throat like a fist. She clapped a hand over her mouth, breathing hard through her nose.
A pair of hands pressed her shoulders back against the pillows. "Easy, K. Lie down. Don't move yet."
Jessica's face swam into view, pale and worried, her eyes wide and her curls a bit frizzy from stress.
"Jessica?" Kira called softly, her voice coming out hoarse. She blinked against the fluorescent lights, the white walls, the beeping monitor, the IV line taped to the back of her hand, and realised she was in a hospital. "What… happened? Why am I in a hospital?"
