A stabbing pain tore me from the darkness. It felt like my body was breaking from within. Every single fiber, every muscle screamed in agony. My head throbbed so violently I thought it would explode. My throat burned as if I'd swallowed fire, and my arms and legs felt heavy as lead.

I tried to open my eyes, but the slightest attempt sent another stab through my skull. A pained groan escaped my lips as I slowly realized I wasn't dreaming—I was awake. And everything hurt like hell.

My body felt like it didn't have a single drop of energy left. I couldn't even lift my arm or move my...