The Unbearable Heaviness of Being

Pain.

Its whole body was in smoldering pain.

Especially in its lungs—every time it breathed, it felt like it was inhaling a vat of burning dust; every time it coughed, it felt like sparks were spurting out its throat.

Its eyelids seemed to have become swollen, and as if there were lead blocks being attached upon them, it was difficult for Richard to open its eyes. It could only half-open its eyes and observe the world through its narrow visions.

It heard some sounds buzzing near its ears. Sometimes, the sounds were so vague like they were from a far cry, but the next moment, they were roaring beside its ears, penetrating its brain like steel needles.

Such painful feelings were familiar, for it had experienced them once. Since this time, its senses were more acute than before, it felt even more painful.

Its consciousness ran into the state of confusion, as if it was back in the lab again.