Alexei gets up and walks around the bed to my IV. When he picks up an injection, I quickly say, “I don’t want more drugs.” His eyes snap to me. “The pain will only get worse.” “I can handle it.” For all I know, they’ll make me addicted to the stuff, so I don’t try to fight back once I’m better. Alexei shakes his head. “Just until you’re stronger. Right now, it would do more damage if you tense up with every movement.” “Don’t,” I plead, but he still injects the fluid into the IV then comes to sit down again.
