Light shines through my eyelids. Straining the muscles around them, I manage to open them a few millimetres, but the light is bright. I close them again quickly. My tongue is dry and swollen, only letting me breathe out a sound between a moan and a hiss. I swallow painfully and try again. A louder hiss.
“Mum, dad, she’s awake!” I hear Ru say.
I force my eyes open, just making out the blurry outline of someone leaning over me. Even though keeping them open is so painful that they water, eventually my vision clears and Ru’s face swims into focus along with the rest of the room. His long hair hangs over me like a curtain.
“W-Water,” I croak, seeing mum and dad hovering behind him.
He picks up a full glass from the bedside table and helps me drink down a few mouthfuls. It’s cool and sweet;
