Stolen (Otherworld 2)

I was sitting beside her bed, absorbed in my thoughts, as I had been all morning. When she first opened her eyes, I thought it was a reflexive action. Her eyes opened, but she didn't move, just stared at the ceiling, expressionless. Then she blinked.

"Doctor?" I said.

Carmichael made a noise and glanced up from her paperwork. A split second later, she was at the bedside. It took a while for Bauer to rouse herself. I guess if you've been out cold for days, you don't exactly jump up screaming--at least, we should be thankful she didn't jump up screaming, all things considered.

It took about twenty minutes for Bauer to awaken enough to move. She tried shifting onto her side, but the restraints held her back. She glanced down sharply, frowning, saw the bonds, and shot a glare at Carmichael. Her mouth opened, but only a whisper came out, so faint even I couldn't distinguish words. Carmichael got the message, though, and quickly loosened the arm restraints.

"Uh, that's not such a good idea," I said.

"She's too weak to talk, much less move," Carmichael said.

Bauer's eyes went from me to Carmichael, following our exchange. She searched my face with no flicker of recognition. Then I saw the flash. She remembered me. Her eyes narrowed.

"Wh--" She stopped and swallowed. "Wh--why's she here?"

"Elena's been helping me, Sondra. Since your ... mishap."

"Mi--?" Bauer swallowed again, tongue flicking over her dry lips. "What mishap?"

"Grab Sondra a glass of water, Elena."

Again Bauer's gaze settled on me. "Wh--why's she here?"

"Get the water and then have the guards take you for a walk. I need to speak to Sondra."

I retrieved the water and tried t

o ignore the second half of the request, but Carmichael shooed me away. I knew I shouldn't leave Carmichael alone with Bauer. I also knew there was no sense arguing with the doctor. So I settled for leaving with the in-room guards and advising the door guards to take up posts inside. To my surprise, they obeyed. It would have been a heartening sign of my growing power and position if I hadn't suspected they were hightailing it into the infirmary so they could regale their colleagues with tales of being the first to see the new werewolf awake.

After my walk, Tucker met us outside the infirmary.

"Drop her off with Peters and Lewis inside," Tucker said. "Then get down to the cells and escort Miss O'Donnell into Zaid's cell."

"I thought Doctor Matasumi canceled all visits," one of my guards said.

"Katz--Doctor Matasumi changed his mind."

"But I thought he said--"

"He changed his mind. Miss O'Donnell will visit Zaid for one hour, followed by a one-hour visit with Miss Levine."

"How is Savannah?" I asked.

Three pairs of eyes turned on me, as if the walls had spoken. For a moment it seemed no one was going to answer me, then Tucker said brusquely, "She's fine."

"You know, I wouldn't mind seeing her myself," I said. "Maybe cheer her up a little."

"Miss O'Donnell can do that," Tucker said, then turned and headed down the hall.

The two guards led me into the room. Bauer still lay on the bed. Carmichael sat beside her, holding her hand. I assumed Bauer had fallen back asleep, then noticed her eyes were open. Carmichael motioned me to silence.

"I know it's a shock," Carmichael murmured. "But you're in good health and--"

"Good health?" Bauer spat, turning to skewer Carmichael with blazing eyes. "Do you know what I feel like right now? This--this--" Her left hand tried to punch the air, but only succeeded in a weak flutter before collapsing back at her side. "This isn't my body. It's not me. It's--it's wrong. Horribly, disgustingly wrong. And the dreams." She gave a choking gasp. "Oh, God. The dreams."

Carmichael touched Bauer's brow. Bauer closed her eyes and seemed to relax. Then she opened her eyes and saw me.

"Get her out of here," Bauer said.