Beth back at the hotel

As Beth staggered out of the car and back onto the frozen pavement, she was just glad that the crowd had now dispersed.

The ginger girl was convinced that the journey back had been much longer despite what her driver said to the contrary.

Beth pulled Borgov's jacket tighter around herself as she hurried over the hard, frozen ground, gasping as her bare legs were once again assaulted by the winter weather.

xxx

Beth collapsed into the warm lobby and fell flat on her face, her exhausted legs finally giving way.

She smiled as she felt the soft carpet under her cheek, massaging her fingers through the material.

"Miss Harmon?"

Voices were whispering as hands gently helped her to her bare feet.

"Well done, Miss Harmon. You must be exhausted."

Beth nodded weakly and allowed herself to be half-walked, half-carried through the lobby.

She began slipping in and out of consciousness...snatches of conversation... Borgov's jacket lifted from her shoulders...the cold sensation of the metal floor of the elevator underneath her soles...someone stroking her cheek as her head lolled onto a shoulder...

"Here we are, Miss Harmon."

Beth felt herself being helped into bed, soft bedsheets pulled over her.

"How about an nice mug of hot chocolate to warm you up?"

Beth tried to explain that if she drank anymore she would have an accident, but all she could manage was a mumble and a gesture of her hand in vague direction of her abdomen.

Instead a mug was held to her lips, and Beth allowed them to slowly pour the warm liquid down her throat.

They were right. Beth was already feeling much better even a her eyelids grew heavy.

When she finally finished her drink, she snuggled down onto her pillows, feeling toasty warm and contented, and sank into unconsciousness...