Chapter 75: A Burning Sensation
Sweats covered me the next morning as I woke up the next morning a groan escaping my lips as I got up, or tried to. My entire body suffered from burning sensations which intensified with any minor contraction of my muscles. My back felt intolerable pain from the hot lashes and dry blood continued to pull at my bleeding raw skin as a sign to remember yesterday’s torment.
A thin ray of dim morning light passed through room curtains but failed to dissolve the thick weight resting upon the atmosphere. My unsuccessful attempt to change positions brought about intense pain that made me stay motionless. The shallow breaths I took produced dried raspy sounds that mimicked continuous screaming during the night.
Oh gods it hurts, it really hurts and I think my back was burning! I thought to myself as I my breathing became heavier with each shallow breath which felt like it was dragging me towards unconsciousness. I wished to cry out and break into loud screams but my throat screamed in pain and my energy had vanished from my body.
A soft rustle caught my attention and through my hazy vision, I could make out Heather who was perched on a chair with her head resting on it at an angle that looked uncomfortable even from where I was seating. There were still visible tear streaks on her face, her mouth murmuring inaudible words as her face contorted into a frown. She must have nursed me throughout the night which made her really tired.
I would have loved nothing more than for her to get rested well but I was in pain, fiery hot pain that coursed through my body in relentless waves. I tried to shift but the attempt only caused more suffering that led me to clamp my teeth around my lip in order to prevent loud sounds from escaping. The composition of my breath became irregular and unsteady during my attempt to restrain the sob that fought through my throat.
"Hea....Hea..." I whimpered as I stared at Heather who was still sleeping but I noticed the way she stirred slightly, "Heather..." I managed to rasp out.
Heather suddenly sat up straight as if someone had violently woken her up from her dream. Her eyes immediately went to meet where I was busy fisting the bed sheets unable to hide the tears streaming down my face. Her face showed visible concerns as she ran towards me, she knelt down on the side of my bed.
"My lady!" The worry in her tone made her voice heavy with anxiety. Her hands buzzed in an uncomfortable manner above my body as though she was afraid to touch me, "What’s wrong?"
I squeezed the sheets even tighter as I felt another wave of agony hit me, "It hurts..." I rasped out weakly and Heather frowned at me as though she couldn’t hear me. I drew in a deep breath before I decided to try again, "It hurts Heather. It really hurts!"