[brighid]

I vaguely hear the words as the plush carpet approaches my face in slow motion. I never actually feel my face hit the floor, but I feel this strange jolt as my head bounces. The darkness of unconsciousness envelopes me.

When I wake, I am lying in bed with my eyes closed. "It was all a dream," I think thankfully. I try to roll over on my side, but something cold on my arm prevents me from shifting much. My eyes don't want to open, and my face feels numb. I try to talk, to call my husband, but my tongue feels fat and lazy in my mouth. Someone grabs my jaw as they lean in to whisper.

"Good morning, Brighid..." he says. I manage to pry my eyes open at this, and see that I am in NOT in bed. I am dangling from a cushioned wall. My hands and feet are shackled. My body was naked and exposed to the cold air of the room. And to the strange man's touch.

"Oh...oh my gods," I mumbled. "Please, let me go..."