Alexander

I wake to a slow and immediate realization, one that comes as a splitting pain in my skull. The pounding pulses at the base of my head, sending a sharp pain to the back of my eyes and pressing against my temples so hard my mind starts to dull. 

My mouth is dry, tongue heavy and curled into the top of my mouth, throat burning. 

I shift. A sharp jab of discomfort shoots down my spine. My body feels so stiff and heavy and slow, the kind of sluggishness that comes from passing out ...