It was the next day, and the room was quiet except for the soft, rhythmic beeping of the hospital monitor. Cora's eyelids fluttered open, the brightness of the morning light filtering through the blinds making her squint. At first, her mind felt foggy, but then, like a sudden rush the memories came flooding back. The fear, the struggle, the moment her strength gave out… she remembered everything that had happened before she lost consciousness.
Then her body stiffened instantly, and she jolted upright on the bed. "Don't even dare!" she blurted out instinctively, as if the danger were still right in front of her. But when her eyes darted around, she realized she wasn't in that horrible situation anymore. The clean scent of antiseptic, the white sheets tucked neatly under her, the heart monitor at her side, it was all the hospital.
And right there, sitting beside her bed with worry etched all over her face, was Malisa.
