Chapter 36: Keep Me Close

As I drew in a breath, I could hear familiar voices coming back to me. Everything was still black—I had no idea what was happening. I tried to open my eyes but it was like I wasn’t in control of my body or movements.

“Orene, what in heavens is going on—oh my…what happened? I thought she left?”

My ears quickly picked up Gwenna’s voice. It seemed like my reappearance tousled her a little. I felt her breath on my face, and wanted so badly to move away. She was so close and her hand touched my forehead; first, the palm, then the back of it.

“I-I don’t know,” Orene stammered, followed by a frustrated sigh. “Leo just said to call Sylvie and then took off to the office for something.”

Gwenna scoffed. “Typical.” She, too, sighed and then backed away. I was relieved the second her hand left my face. “She’s running a small fever, but nothing extreme. Did you get a hold of Sylvie? I know she’s been tied up lately. There was a case of influenza in the school and—”