When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself surrounded by a small crowd. The air felt too thick, too heavy, as if it were pressing down on my lungs. I wasn't sure how long I had been out, but I silently cursed that fragile part of me-the one that gave in at the slightest touch of stress.

The dizziness still weighed on me. My head spun in slow, nauseating circles, like I was trapped inside a carousel I couldn't step off. I forced myself to focus, to ground my thoughts, and that's when I saw the people standing around the room.

And the very first pair of eyes I...