The first thing Destiny became aware of was the sound.
Beep.
A pause.
Beep.
Another pause.
Beep.
She hated it.
She didn't know why yet, but she hated it.
It was too consistent.
Too calm.
Too certain.
Her body didn't feel calm.
Her throat felt like sandpaper.
Her head felt heavy, almost detached from the rest of her body, and there was an ache sitting somewhere behind her eyes that made opening them feel like a chore.
She swallowed.
Pain.
She swallowed again.
Worse.
A small sound escaped her.
The beeping changed.
Someone moved beside her.
"Destiny?"
She didn't open her eyes.
The voice sounded familiar.
Too familiar.
A hand wrapped around hers.
Warm.
Shaking.
"Baby?"
Her eyelids fluttered.
Light flooded in.
She immediately shut them again.
"Oh my God."
The voice cracked.
"She's awake."
Destiny tried again.
This time, she managed to keep her eyes open.
White ceiling.
White walls.
A curtain.
A fluorescent light that seemed far too bright.
