Shannon, Anita and Eliot
It was all that I could do not to pass out then and there on the bed. The exhaustion weighed me down and I felt heavy, sinking deep into the mattress as if I was filled with lead. My mouth was dry and parched, and my lips cracked as I opened my mouth to call out for my son. No sound came and the simple act of trying to scream caused my head to pound and ache, a sharp pain shot through my jaw from grinding me teeth and my ears rang with a high pitched squeal. My vision was fuzzy, a grey aura clouded over the room and every time I closed my eyes I felt like days were lost. My eyelids were heavy and my sweat stung as it dripped into my bloodshot eyes. My moist skin was clammy and cold as the cool air passed over me and I still felt Anita’s body pressed against mine. My hands were so numb that I didn’t even realize that Anita had loosened the cord around my wrist. My arms dangled over the back of the bed over my head and I tried to move my fingers to regain circulation, but I was unsuccessful. My head swam and the fog only cleared when I saw the sight I had dreaded since I first heard his voice as he entered the house. Eliot.