Even through the pain, the heat Cassia felt just looking at
Adalynn rose up, cutting through everything else the way
medication takes the edge off of physical pain.
“I already knew you’d refuse, so I have my argument all
prepared. I doubt you’re in any shape to hear it, but I’m going
to tell you anyway so that you can relax. I don’t want you to
have to spend all the money you’ve saved up on a hospital bill.
That accident wasn’t your fault. None of this was. I know
you’ll want to pay me back. You can’t protest because I’ve
already taken care of it. Instead of you working for the agency,
trying to make that money back, I have a better idea. You can
save the money you already have and come work for me. For
the next month.”
Cassia stared at Adalynn blankly. She couldn’t believe she
was hearing her correctly. When had everything gotten so off
kilter? What was Adalynn even doing there? What was she
doing there? Had she really been in an accident? Why couldn’t
she remember? It had been, what, half a year since she’d seen
Adalynn last? Or was that wrong too? Was it just a few days
ago? Was she even awake?
Slowly, Cassia moved her good hand to tap lightly at the IV.
It hurt where it was stuck into her hand. Dreams weren’t
supposed to hurt, were they? Probably not this much, she
reasoned, as she tried to shift in the bed again and was greeted
by a black wall of pain.
There had to be another way to pay for things. What did
Adalynn mean she’d already taken care of it? Was that real?
Had Cassia heard her correctly? What about the other person?
The one who had caused the accident? How did someone get
compensation for something like that? Legally? Did it only