Claire's eyes fluttered open to a sterile white world she didn't recognize. The cold pinch of IV fluids trickled into her veins as she weakly flexed her hand. Sunlight streamed through the window, making her squint, everything felt hazy, like she was still trapped between dreams and reality.
The door burst open as Adrian Cole barged in, a bag of fruit swinging from his grip. "Claire. Ms. Lawson!" His voice cracked with relief when he saw her awake. In three quick strides, he was at her bedside, dumping the fruit with a thud to carefully prop her up. "Thank goodness you're awake! Are you hurt? I'll get the doctor!" Before she could respond, he'd already spun around, his shoes squeaking against the linoleum in his haste.
The doctor swooped in moments later, white coat flapping. After a bri
