Smirley jerked awake. For several seconds she lay in the darkness, wondering where in the world she was. The stars had disappeared from overhead, as had the dancing pearls of light. She frowned and glanced around. So had the trees.
She sat upright. Hot lances of fire shot through her skull like some madman with a jackhammer was loose in her head. Her stomach turned, threatening to leap into her throat. She took a deep breath and gently massaged her temples.
Only to discover that hurt almost as much. She touched her left temple gently. Her head
had been cut, and her hair was matted with blood. She must have done it when she'd fallen. Warmth began dribbling down her cheek.
The headache eased slightly but not the sick churning in her stomach. What had happened?
