Gates of Paradise (Casteel 4)

wheel myself into the corridor to see what was going

on and why no one would respond. But after I turned on the light and illuminated the room, I was shocked to discover that my wheelchair was gone. And so was

my walker! I was really trapped in my bed.

"You can't do this, Tony," I muttered. "You

can't keep me a prisoner here any longer. I'm going to

leave. Do you hear me? I'm going to leave in the

morning!"

There was no response. I fell back against the

&n

bsp; pillow, exhausted and overwhelmed once more. I

must have dozed of again, because a movement near

the bed made my eyes snap open and my heart thump.

Grinding my fists over my eyes, I tried wiping the

sleep away. Tony must have returned to my room

after I had fallen asleep and turned off my lamp. Even

the light from the sitting room seemed dimmer. I

could barely make out his silhouette at the foot of the

bed, but I recognized his shadowy figure.

"Tony? What are you doing? Why are you

moving about in the darkness, and why did you take

away my wheelchair and my walker?" I 'demanded.

He didn't respond. He simply stood there, gazing

through the darkness at me. "Tony!" I exclaimed, my

voice more shrill. "Why don't you answer me? Why

are you standing there staring at me like that? You're

frightening me!" There was a long moment's pause

before he finally did respond.

"Don't be afraid, Leigh," he said in a loud

whisper. "What?"

"You shouldn't be afraid. I'm not here to hurt