The room was still mostly dark, just that thin grey-blue light that sneaks in before sunrise. The air smelled faintly of perfume, sweat, and the warm cotton of sheets. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears, a wild drum that wouldn't slow down. I sat naked in the middle of the big bed, knees pulled to my chest, arms wrapped tight around them like I could hold myself together. My skin was cold and clammy even though the room wasn't.
Elizabeth was curled on my left, breathing slow and deep. Clara was on my right, one arm flung across the pillow, lips slightly parted, sleeping like the world couldn't touch her. Both of them looked peaceful, beautiful, safe.
I wasn't.
"Huff… huff…" The air felt too thick to breathe. My whole body shook in tiny waves.
What was that? What just happened?
The question kept looping in my head, loud and panicked.
