My eyes spring open.
I'm in a dark room that smells of herbs and dirty laundry. Someone is pacing around the room, and I see a hunched figure. Donna? Most probably. She's using a pestle and mortar and I wonder what she's pounding at. She pours a clear viscous liquid into it and then turns to me. She eyes me briefly, then begins running the paste on my chest. It's cool on my chest. The smell of it isn't bad, it just stings my nostrils. I keep my eyes on her, but she doesn't meet them once. She's focused on whatever she's doing to me and I don't say anything so I don't distract her.
When she's done, she leaves the room. People are standing outside the door, but then she closes the door and I'm plunged into darkness. I hear mumbling and whispering, and then the door opens once again. The light is switched on and I close my eyes. I open them gradually. Someone is standing right in front of me. I expect it to be her, but it's Cayden.
I narrow my eyes at him.
