agirllost

Kim's in a dark room. A sliver of light illuminates a young girl near the bed. Instinctively, Kim knows she's in a hospital - recognizing the sterile smell and the machines she can barely see.

She stands near the door of the room and leans against the wall. The girl's sobs are heartwrenching but Kim can't make herself move so she looks out into darkness and counts to 300.

"I'm so sorry, Mommy." The girl whispers and leans over the end of the bed. Dark wavy hair covers her face but Kim realizes what she's witnessing. 'Nita,' she thinks.

As she reaches 240, a man enters the room.

He doesn't seem to notice Kim. He walks over to Nita and puts his hand on her shoulder.

Kim stifles a gasp when she sees the blood on his fingers. 'I need to warn her, need to save her...' she thinks but she's held to the wall, unable to do anything.

But Nita's not afraid and she turns to look at him. "I tried to save her," Nita sobs.

"Nita! He's going to hurt you! Run!" Kim yells from across the room and she expects the man to pull a knife at any second.

Instead, Nita stands and hugs him, her body shaking. Kim can only watch horrified as blood-stained hands stroke Nita's hair. Something on the man's hand catches the light, possibly a ring.

"Nita!" she tries again, doesn't Nita realize that this man isn't to be trusted?

Nita doesn't seem to notice her pleas.

"I'm so sorry," the man half-sobs, holding Nita tightly. The movement brings his face into view and Kim stops trying to move.

"Dad?" Kim whispers.

Kim opens her eyes and turns towards the wall. Her heart's still racing from the dream.

It's possible that she got back to her own bed not very long ago, but she's wide awake now. She may go down to the bar soon.