Chapter 29

• Melina is startled awake when the nightmare ends. She closes her eyes and tries to calm her racing heart. Melina just had the same nightmare again. It’s the same one she has been having for three weeks. Opening her eyes, she runs her hand through her hair and drops her legs to the side of the bed. Melina can’t believe she really thought if she left that house, the memories of what happened would vanish. She sighs and places her hands on her temple. These past three weeks have been hell. She even wishes she hadn’t come out of numbness.
• Melina gets out of bed and walks to the bathroom to take a shower. Her body is sticky from sweating all night. While taking off her clothes, she recalls something that may help to alleviate her guilt. She noticed his chest move slightly before she left that day. Melina knows she might just be making things up to feel better, so she will ask Leo tomorrow if he’s dead or not. The man’s chances of survival are slim, but she remains hopeful. She knows it’s wishful thinking, but she would like to believe he’s still alive until she hears otherwise.
• Later in the day, Melina paces the hotel suite’s living room, waiting for Leo to arrive. She’s a little worried he might avoid talking to her because of Thomas. The bags under her eyes show how little sleep she is getting these days. She needs to hear that the man is alive to relieve some of the guilt that is weighing on her heart.