Annabel opened her eyes a little.
There was a glimmer of moonlight to break the darkness of the room. She blinked and as her eyesight gradually improved a face emerged.
Fred. With his face a landscape of exquisite sharp shadows, he stood inches away from her.
His wide eyes conveyed a mixture of surprise and an unidentified emotion. A humming and stretching silence pervaded the air.
Her thoughts were a sleepy haze as she simply gazed at him.
Then he drew back after a long moment. He stood up straight making slow methodical movements as he backed away.
He made a nervous motion she recognized—running a hand through his hair.
“I just wanted to wipe something off your face.” He said awkwardly.
His voice was a low murmur.
With the last remnants of sleep clinging to her, Annabel r
