*Claire*

I can’t see anything, but there is a compounding pressure on my chest. I can’t breathe. Every lungful of air I manage to suck in is almost more painful than not being able to breathe. My heart is racing out of my chest.

What is going on?

Where am I?

There is a resounding crack. I know my ribs are broken—that my chest is cracked into little, tiny splinters—but I feel no pain. The crack breaks through whatever misty barrier is in front of my eyes ...