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Corrado dropped his gun to the floor "I did Death is a lot more hu when Salvatore arrived"

All Haven could see were fireworks

Flashes of light broke through in the darkness, loud bangs ringing out in the distance She didn’t knoas real any she was sure about was the fireworks It reminded her of the day Carmine had taken her to the party She could still feel hi her weakened and dizzy

"Just fireworks, tesoro Nothing to be afraid of," he had said "They won’t hurt you"

She believed that as she lay there, just as she had the day he first spoke those words She felt no fear and believed they couldn’t har would Carmine would come for her, and he would save her, because that hat they did for each other Although she was drowning, slipping further away, she knew she would be fine as long as she didn’t give in

They couldn’t have her spirit She wouldn’t let the to the fireworks, she fought to hold on hat little strength she had left

The fireworks faded, the ister with her ears The tiny hairs on her arled, the sensation so real she could sne It drew her closer to the surface as it swirled all around She wondered if it was a e, like a thirsty man in the midst of a hot, dry desert who saw a lake that wasn’t there Was she so desperate for hi he had?

Yes, she thought She ain

Light filtered through her eyelids as Carrew louder She forced her eyes open at the sound, blinking rapidly in an atte was hazy, but she couldher weary heart

It didn’t even seeht any hers They were clearer than everything else, the green color striking ah her body Her vision blurred more, and she blinked rapidly, anxious to stay conscious "Fucking ninja, you scared me!"

"Carmine?" She winced from the burn in her throat

"Yeah, it’s ive up" His voice was fueled with e love you"

She tried to reach for hiy froain as soon as her hand dropped, noises fading out as if she were drowning again

"Happy new year," she whispered as he disappeared

50

Haven had no way to gauge how much time had passed while she was out--it could have been hours or days, evenmoments of clarity, ones she kneere real because of the pain She heard noises during one of her spells and pushed to regain consciousness She was in a dark roo a few feet away "Dr DeMarco?"

"Yes, it’s ainst her chest She juh her from the move

"I know it does" He placed his hand against her forehead, and she lay as still as possible as he checked her over The scene was dreamlike "You’re not real"

Dr DeMarco’s brow furrowed "I’m not real?"

"You’re not really here," she said "I’ain"

"Oh, I’m really real" He paused as a small smile took over his lips "At least, I think so"

She tried to smile in response, but she eak and wasn’t sure if it worked "I don’t understand How did you get here? Where’s Carmine?" Fear paralyzed her "Did Nunzio kill him?"

She tried to sit up as she looked around the room frantically, but Dr DeMarco blocked her "Calm down, child"

"I can’t" Her voice cracked "Where is he? Is he hurt? Is that why he isn’t here?"

"He’s fine He just had so to take care of"

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously as he averted his gaze "What?"

"It’s not iht now," he said "Carmine will be back soon, and he’ll be elated you’re awake"

Nothing ave her a wary look "You were drugged when you were away"

"Drugged" Flashes ofher a few times, his voice unfa you subdued You probably don’t re to" His tone told her he meant business "Your body overdosed on the h withdrawal It would’ve been best to take you to a hospital, but there was no way to explain your condition along with the thiopental and phenobarbital in your systes we use at the hospital I’ that’s where Jen came into play Thiopental is, uh" He looked wracked with guilt "It’s what I’ve given you a few tiher doses result in a coether, I’ll be shocked if you re at all"

She started to reply but stopped abruptly when he pulled out a syringe History told her nothing good came from needles

"Morphine for the pain," he explained when he noticed her reaction, gently picking up her ar as Dr DeMarco injected the drug into her vein "You were in bad shape e found you"

"How long has it been?" she asked