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No! This can’t be happening again. I collapse on the deck behind me, hitting my head with the fall. The stars above me begin their familiar dance as my body convulses completely. My legs coil to my chest, along with my arms. My body is no longer under my control.
“Elsbeth!” a deep voice calls from somewhere nearby. “Oh, my God. Elsbeth.” Arms wrap around me, lifting my spasming body. “What’s happening?” the voice asks. It feels familiar and strange at the same time.
My body is laid on top of something soft. The convulsions have slowed down, but are still out of my control. “Tell me what to do,” the voice pleads. “I don’t know how to help you.”
The spasms continue to lessen, alerting me that it’s almost over. The pain in my body releases, allowing me to slowly gain enough control to realize I’m back in Thorn’s quarters. He’s standing over me, his face covered in worry.
“I’m okay,” my voice answers. The shakiness sounds through.
“Elsbeth, you were convulsing on the deck.”
“I’m s…s…sorry.”
“I’m not asking for an apology. What can I do to help?”
“Water,” I whisper. “Thirsty.”
He disappears from the bedside and moves quickly across the room, returning with a pint of something. “Drink.” He pulls me forward, bringing the cup to mylips. The water fills the need my body desires. He lays me back on the softness of his bed and lays a cold cloth on my forehead.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “Sleep.” My eyes feel heavy, making it nearly impossible to keep them open. I know from experience that sleep is the only way I’m able to overcome this nightmare that has plagued me since childhood.
“Sleep,” Thorne says. “I’ll let your mother know you’re okay.” His voice trails off as I lose the battle, and the room fades to nothing.
……
My eyes open to an unfamiliar environment. Whenever these “fits” occur, my brain feels like mush for hours, sometimes days, later. I turn, finding the slumped-over body of Thorne in a chair that’s two sizes too small.
Looking around, memories of him bringing me to his quarters surface, meaning he was the one who found me. “Hey,” I whisper toward the sleeping giant.
Thorne’s eyes open immediately. “Elsbeth? You’re awake.”
“I am.” My voice sounds tired, even to me. I struggle, trying to sit up.
“Let me help you,” he says, jumping to my side and sliding his arm behind me. He lifts me slightly, makingit easier to lean against the large window above the bed. Once in place, he stares at me silently.
“You’re curious,” I fill in the blanks.
“I don’t want to pry.”
I close my eyes, not sure how to explain what I don’t understand. “People in the village said I was possessed.”
Thorne sits back in his chair. “That’s dumb.”
The simplicity of his words brings a smile to my face. “It’s one of the reasons we’re going to America.”
“You will be able to find help?”
I nod. “I think so.” I look down at my hands, full of small scratches from whatever I hit when I collapsed. “I hope so.”
“I’m sorry, Elsbeth.”
“Me, too,” I answer. “They’ve caused nothing but pain for my family.” I don’t elaborate, and thankfully, he doesn’t ask. I yawn with my words.
“Get some rest. I’ll stay with you.”
I don’t question his words. Instead, my eyes close, welcoming me back into a world of silence.
FOUR
