#Chapter 51: Betrayal, Redux

Kadeem “Stay with my voice.” Kadeem’s eyes opened, but he wasn’t with Mateo. He was in a hospital room. “You’re finding all the details you were looking for.” Kadeem's blurred vision focused to reveal a scene of terror, as he realized he couldn’t move his legs. He couldn’t wiggle his toes. He couldn’t feel his legs. "Ardal,” he screamed, still desperately trying to move against the paralysis that had taken over his lower limbs. But it wasn't Ardal who walked into the room, it was Susan. Her look of pity only intensified Kadeem's nightmare. "She's not here," she uttered somberly. "Since your car accident, she hasn't been around much. The doctors say you won't walk again and...she doesn't want anything to do with an invalid." Kadeem felt like he was entering a portal to madness as fear surged through his veins. His heart pounded wildly in his chest as he shrieked, "What are you talking about?!" Susan bit her lip. She reached for Kadeem