Allison

As I slowly regained consciousness, my head throbbed with a dull ache, like a relentless drumbeat. I opened my eyes to a blindingly bright light, which made me squint. The pungent smell of disinfectant and the faint scent of medicine wafted through the air, making my stomach churn. I realized I was in a hospital, surrounded by the sterile, white walls and the soft beeping of machines.

My gaze wandered to my hand, which was attached to an IV drip, the clear tube snaking up to a bag of fluids hanging from a metal stand. I felt a surge of confusion and panic. What had happened? I tried to...