*Roanne’s POV*

The throb behind my eyelids was a relentless drum, pounding in sync with the pulse that hammered at my temples. I groaned, an involuntary sound that felt alien to me, as my mind fought to surface from the depths of a murky ocean. My tongue felt swollen, heavy against the dry roof of my mouth.

"Water..." The word scraped out, barely audible.

"Here." The voice cut through the fog, and I blinked open my eyes to see Aaron, his silhouette ...