The doctor was with my mother when I arrived, and the nurse asked me to wait until she had completed her examination. I tapped my foot impatiently on the floor as I looked around the hallway. There was still a security guard outside my mom's door, which I was happy to see. But what I really needed to see was some improvement in my mother's condition.

Finally, the door opened, and the doctor came out. Dr. Elizabeth Ryker was an attractive blonde with her hair pulled back in a French braid.

"How is my mother?" I asked.

"Unfortunately, there hasn't been any change," Dr. Ryker replied. "But she's holding her own."

"Do you have any idea when she'll wake up? Is she still heavily medicated?"

"We have her on pain medication, but it's no longer enough to prevent her from waking up."

"Then why isn't she awake?" I asked in frustration.

"Her body is healing. We should know more within the next forty-eight hours."

"You said that before," I couldn't help pointing out.

"I know it's difficult but try to stay positive. If there's any change, we'll notify you."

"Thanks."

After the doctor left, I entered my mother's room. The nurse had just finished taking some blood. She gave me a smile and then left us alone.

I walked over to the bed and gazed down at my mom once more. It seemed like there was more color in her face. Maybe that was just my imagination.

"I need you to wake up, Mom," I said. "It's Brynn. I'm here. I'm staying at your house. I'm trying to find out who hurt you, but I need your help." I wanted to say I needed her, but that would make me feel too vulnerable. I'd needed her when I was a child, and she'd left me. Why would it matter now how I felt? My needs hadn't stopped her from leaving me the first time.

"You owe me," I said instead. "You owe me and Dani answers. Dad, too. We loved you. You can make things better if you wake up, if you talk to us. I can't imagine the truth will be worse than this terrible void of information."

As I finished speaking, I wondered if what I'd just said was true. Maybe the truth would hurt even more.

I put my hand on hers, almost recoiling from the coolness of her skin. My mom had always felt so warm, so safe. I wrapped my fingers around hers. "Your daughters need you," I said. "Come back to us. Please, come back."

I caught my breath, feeling her fingers move, but when I looked at our hands, they were still. I turned my gaze to the machines keeping track of her vitals, and there was absolutely no change. I must have imagined the movement because I wanted it so badly.