27

Hannah was dying. In fact, she had to be dead already and burning in hell. That was the only explanation for the shivers that wracked her body, the stabbing pain in her throat, and the way she was coughing her lungs up. Then again, would she have need for lungs if she was dead? And would it hurt this much to breathe?

She forced an eyelid open and promptly shut it again. Hmm, maybe not hell. Surely that would be dark and red, not this bright light that increased the pounding in her head. From somewhere a deep voice registered, and that annoying beep which sounded like a jackhammer in her head got faster, more insistent. She whimpered at the pain.

Make it stop. Please make it stop.

"Nurse, get your ass in here now. She’s waking up, and she’s in pain."