Chapter 2: Awakening and the Unknown
A dull, pounding pain greeted Ethan as he drifted back into consciousness. His body felt heavy, like it had been weighed down by bricks. His head throbbed with every heartbeat, and a groan escaped his lips.
What the hell...?
His eyes flickered open, only to be met with a blinding white light. He squinted, adjusting to the sterile brightness, his vision blurry at first. The room smelled of antiseptics, the air cold and clinical.
Ethan shifted slightly, and pain flared through his body, making him suck in a sharp breath. Okay, moving is a bad idea.
The sound of rapid footsteps reached his ears. Then, a voice—urgent and surprised.
"He's awake! Quick, get the doctor!"
Ethan turned his head slightly, wincing at the effort. A nurse stood beside his bed, eyes wide with shock. Another bolted out of the room.
The remaining nurse placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Stay still. You've been through a lot."
Ethan blinked, his mind sluggishly piecing things together. "Where... am I?" His voice was hoarse, like he hadn't spoken in days.
"The hospital," the nurse said gently. "You were in an accident. But it's a miracle you're even alive."
Then, it all came flooding back.