Aaron woke up, his eyes fluttering open to the soft light filtering through the room. He found himself lying on a comfortable bed, the sheets rumpled from long disuse, and Alice by his side, her presence a familiar anchor in the haze of confusion.
"You're finally awake," Alice said, her voice soft but filled with unmistakable relief. A warm smile spread across her face, her eyes brightening as the weight of worry lifted from her shoulders. She had been by his side through it all, watching over him like a guardian in this uncertain world.
Aaron's mind cleared slowly, a surge of unfamiliar strength coursing through his veins, making him feel more alive than ever before. "Alice, how long have I been out?" he asked, his voice rough from disuse, sitting up with a fluid motion that surprised even him.
"A year," Alice disclosed, her tone gentle but matter-of-fact. "You slept for that long."
