Elysia tried to open her eyes but for a moment, her eyelids seemed too heavy, too stubborn.
She could hear voices, distant then muffled, like she was underwater. Then a small ringing in her head made her force her eyes open with a gasp.
The last thing she remembered was the smoke, the orange glow outside her door and that she couldn't breathe.
Her eyes darted around immediately.
White ceiling. White walls. The faint smell of antiseptic.
A hospital.
Panic seized her chest.
Her hand immediately flew to her stomach.
She didn't know why that was the first thing she thought about. Maybe because it had become impossible not to think about it these past few days.
Her baby.
Her throat tightened.
She pushed herself up too quickly and instantly regretted it when dizziness washed over her.
