Anna stirred awake at the sound of voices nearby. One was low and steady, belonging to Martha, and the other was an unfamiliar male voice, brisk yet calm.
Forcing her eyes open, she was met with a harsh brightness that made her vision blur before shapes slowly sharpened into focus.
Anna turned her head slightly, taking in her surroundings. She was back in her own room. A thin tube trailed from the back of her hand to the drip hanging beside the bed. Her body felt unbearably heavy, as though even the smallest movement drained her strength.
Martha’s eyes darted to Anna at once, and the sternness in her face eased into visible relief. “Doctor, she’s awake,” Martha said quickly.
Both Martha and the doctor moved to Anna’s side. The doctor leaned in, his stethoscope cold against Anna’s ches
