By the time Briony finally made it back to the studio, dawn was already breaking. Utterly exhausted, she changed into pajamas and collapsed into bed, falling
asleep almost instantly.
She had no idea how long she'd been out when a frantic knocking at the door jolted her awake.
Her eyes flew open and she stared at the familiar ceiling, breath coming quick and shallow. It took her a moment to gather her wits.
She'd been dreaming.
In the dream, she was standing above a river of blood, so vivid it made her shudder. Somewhere in the distance, an infant's cries echoed in her ears...
From outside the room, Hannah's voice rang out. "Briony? Are you awake?"
Her lashes fluttered. Briony pushed herself up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
The room spun as she stood, her body heavy and unsteady.
"Briony? Briony..." Hannah's voice grew more anxious.
"I'm coming," Briony croaked, forcing herself upright and shuffling to the door.
as the door swung open, Hannah let out a sigh
It's ten
thought something had happened
if not a creature of habit; she
she clearly
fine," she rasped,
once-over. "You don't look fine. Are you
lifted a hand to her forehead.
she said. "A few days of rest and I'll be good
on Briony's forehead. "You've got a fever! You need to see
trouble. I'll just take
you don't want
I just need some more
to stand, Briony retreated to her bed and lay
her in, clearly unconvinced. "There's a nasty flu going around. You really should
year. Have finance pay everyone's salary in advance— cover twelve months-and give each person a year-end bonus of,
blinked in shock.
well this year, but with those numbers,
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