I watched Drew go through the door, and for one, desperate moment, I entertained ideas of grabbing his arm and pulling him back, shrieking and begging him not to go in.
Instead, I watched him disappear, the door falling shut behind him. Angela turned to me and lifted a soothing hand to my shoulder. I flinched away from it. “I’m fine,” I said, but my throat was scratchy; I couldn’t make the words sound true.
Dr. Lambecky chose that moment to appear. “Paige!” he cried in surprise, “Why, I had no idea you were back!”
Angela took a subtle step forward, sheilding me slightly. I was relieved for an excuse not to look directly in his eyes. “She just got in,” Angela piped up, “I picked her up”
“Are you back… to live?” he asked me.
I began nodding, then shook my head. I sighed. “I don’t know.” He looked confused. I figured now was as good a time as any to explain. “I didn’t come alone,” I said quietly.
Lambecky’s smile dropped off his face. He turned to Angela sternly, “I believe you had a hand in this.”