I couldn't tell if I was dreaming or awake anymore. The fluorescent lights above me flickered, swimming in and out of focus. My body felt heavy, my limbs like lead weights against the cold concrete floor.
"Officer," I called weakly. "Please. I need help."
The policewoman paused outside my cell, eyeing me skeptically. Her face blurred in my vision.
"I have anemia," I managed to say. "I need a blood test. Please."
She hesitated, then nodded curtly. "I'll check with the doctor."
As her footsteps faded, I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. Each inhale felt like knives in my chest. Something was very wrong with me.
The sound of voices drifted from down the hall. I strained to hear, catching fragments of conversation.
"...her mother... just five minutes..."
My blood ran cold. Mother? No. Not now. Not when I was too weak to defend myself.
