I knew I was in Hong Kong before I even opened my eyes, though it was a disorienting little bit of understanding to accept I lay in a safe and comfortable bed, tucked in, dressed in my favorite pajamas, the windows tinted to keep the light out, soft whir of the circulation system maintaining the air at the perfect temperature, fresh, light, familiar.

Agonizingly painful to endure, this normalcy when nothing would ever be normal again.

Think me a coward all you want, but ...