[PEARL]
I woke up to an overwhelming environment and the sterile smell of antiseptic filling my nostrils. My head pounded and my vision was blurry. As I tried to blink, I realized I was in a hospital bed. Panic seized me, but I forced myself to take deep breaths, trying to remember what had happened.
The last thing I recalled was feeling everything go black. I had been consumed by my fears, my past crashing down on me like a tidal wave. I must have collapsed. I felt a rush of humiliation, knowing my past still had such power over me.
A doctor entered the room, his expression professional but kind. "Good to see you awake, Miss," he said, checking my chart. "You experienced a panic seizure. It can be quite frightening, but you're going to be alright."
His words were somewhat comforting,
