Just before I became aware that the light was blazing below my eyelids, I was awake.

Not completely; my body felt like it had been scraped by a wet sponge, with my chest tight and under pressure that wasn't physical, and my bones grated. The air had a metallic taste. Even if nobody was speaking, the world was... too noisy.

Then I heard it.

She was breathing.

Hurt, sharp, and slow.

"Matilda?" I hadn't used my voice in a long time, so it sounded grainy.

I forced myself to stand. My ribs hurt ...