Hours later, Vance heard voices from far away. At some point, there was pain, like drowning slowly in something invisible. He tried to move but he couldn't. He tried to breathe deeper but failed.

A voice cut through the fog.

“His pulse is stabilizing.”

Another voice.

“Good thing we got to him early.”

When Vance forced his eyes open, the ceiling above him was unfamiliar.

He was in a room with dim lighting. His throat felt raw and his limbs heavy.

He turned his head slightly and ...