_Aria’s POV_
I woke up slowly as if I were being pulled out of deep water.
My head hurt. It was not a sharp pain but a heavy one like something was pressing down on my skull from the inside. My body felt weak. Every limb felt like it was filled with sand. Even breathing felt like work.
I tried to open my eyes.
At first, I could only see light. White and pale shapes swam in front of me. My vision was blurry and unfocused. I blinked once. Then again. The shapes slowly began to settle.
I smelled something clean and sharp. It reminded me of medicine and soap. There was a faint beeping sound nearby. It was steady and slow.
I realized that I was lying down.
The bed beneath me was soft but firm. A thin blanket was tucked around my legs. The air was cool against my skin. I felt something ta
