*Eva*

What my brain registered first was pain—a lot of it. Even before I opened my eyes, my side was screaming with agony. I flexed some of my other muscles experimentally and immediately wished that I hadn’t.

Whatever part of me that wasn’t in pain was just extremely sore and tender.

It took me a little longer to open my eyes. I was momentarily confused when I saw a tan sheet over me. I blinked hard, willing my eyes to focus. My confusion ...