Jack

“Can you hear me?" The voice cut through the fog in my mind, clear and sharp despite my muddled thoughts. Each word sent a sharp throb through my head, a pulsing pain behind my eyes.

“Jack.” Again, that familiar voice. I struggled against my heavy eyelids, trying to force them open.

“Jack.” This third call finally gave me the strength to open my eyes.

“Mum,” I whispered, my voice barely a thread of sound. “Mum.”

“Oh my goodness!" My mother gasped, her voice turning into a scream of joy. “He’s awake! My baby is awake!” Her hurried footsteps echoed through the room as she rushed out, her sobs of...