Ethie. I knew that voice whispering in my ear, right? No, not audible, but a direct link to my mind, her low tone meant to what? Keep me from being startled? I tried to shake off the lethargy lingering, heard myself groan. Ethie, wake up.
What happened? I whispered back to Leah, feeling muddy and disoriented, like someone had stirred my brain with a stick and waited for it to reform again. Where are we?
I don't know, she sent, but wherever it is, we're not alone.
I groaned softly, not so happy to have passed out twice in a short period of time, headache stirring in the back of my skull and making me cranky. Yes, I'd take cranky, thanks. It gave me the momentum to think and process and put coherent ideas together.
Have you been awake this whole time? Not fair, if so.
No, she sent. Whatever knocked you out got to me, too. But I woke first. I have more shielding in here than you do out there.