Isabelle's POV

I didn't know whether it was the pain or the irritating sound of rhythmic knocking that woke me.

My head was throbbing violently. Something wet and sticky was running down my face, and my consciousness slowly returned as I struggled through the fog in my mind. The irritating noise grew louder and louder, making the pain worse.

I was sitting in a chair, and when I tried to lift my head, a brutal wave of pain tore through me, forcing a strangled cry from my dry throat. I could