(Lily POV)

The darkness was peaceful. Warm. Safe. No pain could reach me here. I floated in nothingness, aware of voices around me but not caring enough to listen. Doctors spoke. Machines beeped. Someone held my hand and begged me to wake up. But I didn't want to wake up. Waking up meant remembering. Remembering meant pain.

My baby was dead. There was nothing left to wake up for. Then, in the darkness, I heard something. Not with my ears, with something deeper. A pull, like a string tied around my heart, tugging insistently.

Mama.

Not a voice. A feeling. A knowing.

Mama, I need you.

My eyes flew open....