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.

open, Hannah let out a sigh

scared me half to death. It's ten o'clock and you still hadn't

thought something had

creature of habit; she

though, she

rasped, her

once-over. "You

to her forehead.

few days

a hand on Briony's forehead. "You've

take something for the fever and

want to go

I just need some more

stand, Briony retreated to her bed

her in, clearly unconvinced. "There's a nasty flu going around.

year. Have finance pay everyone's salary in advance— cover twelve months-and give each person a year-end bonus of, say, twenty

blinked in shock. "That's a huge

year, but with those numbers, the total payout

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255