Chapter 5
Cody’s eyes fluttered open. For the second time that week, he woke up disoriented and unsure of his surroundings. He flexed his fingers and shielded his eyes from the fluorescent lights above. His entire body ached and he realized there were bandages on his sides and feet.
He wore a thin, white hospital gown and lay in a bed next to equipment. A heart monitor beeped steadily nearby. A quiet snoring intermixed with the equipment. Wearily, Cody turned his head to the side and spotted his dad, slumped over in a chair against the wall.
“Dad?” Cody’s voice choked in his throat and he winced.
His dad came to in an instant, jumping awake, and nearly falling out of the chair.
“Hey,” his dad said. His voice squawked, but then he composed himself. “How you feeling, kiddo?”
“Not so gr
