Free Nessa (Broken Sisters #1) by M. Brennan Page A

try opening my eyes again. Everything is so bright and my mouth is dry. I peel my eyes open it and it takes a minute before Stacey comes into view, her worried expression isn't helping me figure things out.
    "Drink please."
    "Hold on Nessa, just wait for the nurse." I nod. I feel so groggy. I'm about to freak out again but the nurse walks in. She's a small woman with a sweet face.
    "Welcome back Nessa. How are you feeling?" she asks sweetly.
    "My head is sore and I really need a drink," I croak out.
    "Well you were hit pretty badly on the head and there is a good size bump with a cut so take it easy. You have been out for two days now. You have had everybody worried."
    Two days, what the hell? I try to remember what happened but nothing comes to mind.
    "The doctor will be around to check you over in a few minutes. You can sip over this water while you wait. Just sip, we don't want you getting sick," she orders.
    "Ok." I agree and Stacey brings me some water. When I try to sit up a shooting pain goes through my head.
    "Take it easy Ness. Let me help." She helps me sit up and I sip the water feeling a little better.
    "What happened?" I ask.
    "We got broken into and you must have disturbed them and they hit you on the head." Oh my God that's a little scary.
    "I'm so sorry Nessa. I should have been there." Was she for real?
    "Would you stop. I'm glad you weren't there, we both could have been hurt." She nods but she has tears in her eyes.
    "Nessa, I have something to tell you and I'm not sure how you're gonna take it. Well, I'm not even sure this is the right time but I don't want you to get any surprises." This can't be good she looks really worried—am I going to die or something?
    "What is it?" She puts her head down. "Spit it out already," I snap feeling irritated.
    She takes a deep breath. "The neighbour across the way found you and called the ambulance. When they got you here they checked your id and called your next of kin." She stops.
    "Jesus, Stacey, what is it? You're worrying me now."
    "You're next of kin is your father and he was here." I can't breathe. Everything is going fuzzy and I'm dizzy. That can't be right, surely she has it wrong but everything goes dark before I have time to grasp what's happening.
    I can hear my name being said, I open my eyes to a doctor leaning over me shining a light in my eyes and shit it's bright. I flinch trying to get away from the blinding light.
    "Welcome back Nessa. I'm Doctor McGrath," he says with a smile.
    "What happened?" I say and look around the room. I see Stacey talking to the nurse, tears running down her face. When she spots me awake she rushes over.
    "I'm so sorry Nessa." Poor Stacey, she's always blaming herself.
    Before I can answer her the doctor speaks, "It seems you may have fainted Nessa but with your head injury I can't but sure. I'm going to run a few tests and I'll be keeping you here for a couple of days of observation. Please try to rest while you're here and try not to get worked up again." Then he looks to Stacey. "And maybe no shocks for a while," he says and smiles gently. "I'll come back later to check on you."
    "Ok, thank you doctor." Once he leaves Stacey takes a seat beside me.
    "I'm sorry. Jesus I didn't… I knew you would be a little shocked but you scared the hell out of me Nessa," she says shakily.
    "I'm fine now. It may just have been a bit too much to take in with what's happened. How the hell is he my next of kin and why would he come now—he had twenty-six years to bother?" I ask truly confused the panic is gone and now I'm pissed. Why has he decided to show up now?
    "I honestly don't know. Maybe it's because they rang, but I told him you wouldn't want to see him." I can see that she is still feeling like this is all her fault.
    "Stacey none of this is your fault so please don't blame yourself but can you do me one favour," I say hoping to God she can.
    "Sure Nessa, anything."
    "Please don't let him come near me. I don't want to see him," I