I shot awake instantly, a burst of energy projecting me to sit upright. Despite the fact that I was fully clothed, I still held the covers tight to my body as though I was nude and vulnerable. I was not nude, however, but I was still very much vulnerable; feeling naked to potential threats—friend or foe
I rolled my eyes shut as I dropped back to the mattress, my chest heaving dramatically like I had just emerged from deep water. Sweat made me feel sticky but did nothing to warm my skin. My cheeks burned, though, as if I was just coming down from a fever, but I felt cold. My teeth were clattering from nerves and an insatiable chill.
I laid still for a few more moments, trying to calm myself enough to stand. Whoever was outside was impatient and very inconsiderate, knocking louder as if tr
