The pain in my back drew me out of sleep. Sharp stabs ran down the length of my spine, causing the breath in my lungs to falter. Fire burned on my ribs. Even my head felt like it was on fire. Groggy. My throat was parched and I knew that if I tried to speak now I would sound decrepit.
How long had I been out?
Forcing open my eyes, I nearly choked on air.
The room around me felt like a physical assault on my senses. Memories burned at the back of my mind. Singed the tenderest parts of my soul. The smell was the same. The feel of it. Almost identical to how I had left it all those years ago, almost like the pack house had never burnt in the first place. Only, the paint was fresher, more vibrant. Some decor pieces were slightly off, like someone couldn't quite get the right look of them.
