DANIEL

The persistent, rhythmic tapping against the chair frame increased in the sterile silence of the hospital corridor, followed immediately by a soft, melodic voice. "Beta."

The sound cut through the heavy fog of my exhaustion, dragging me back to consciousness.

I stirred, my muscles screaming in protest.

Every joint felt like it had been fused together, a direct consequence of spending the entire night curled into an unforgiving, stiff-backed hospital chair.

I shifted my weight, ...