X. Harsh Awakening
The first time Anjali regained consciousness, her world was pain. Her head was exploding, her muscles cramping, her leg on fire. She tried to open her eyes only to find herself blinded by light so searingly bright it was like staring into the heart of a star.
She groaned and tried to move, tried to escape the light, but something held her down, held her down so tight that even breathing was difficult. She gasped for breath, her lungs straining for oxygen, but it was to no avail.
Anjali panicked and thrashed about — or rather, she tried, for the grip of whoever or whatever was holding her down was too strong. She could not escape, could not breathe, could not fill her lungs with air.
Someone bent over her, a shadow eclipsing the too bright light. Hands touched her, ju
