Allies and Enemies: Part Two

Bronx-Lebanon Hospital

David wakes up because someone keeps shining a light in his eyes. He doesn’t like it. He turns his head, mumbling a protest, and sluggishly raises one arm to push the light away. Immediately he feels a sharp pain in his side. He drops his arm and sucks in air through his teeth.

He hears laughter—a low, soft, chuckle—then a woman says “well, that’s a good sign.”

He’s in a hospital. He knows he’s in a hospital because the sheets on his bed feel too thin and the walls are sal...