Kaia woke to the sharp, sterile smell of antiseptic, her head pounding slightly as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. The white walls, the beeping machines, and the cold, clinical atmosphere told her she was in some sort of medical facility. A doctor, middle-aged with a kind face, approached her bed and began checking her vitals.
"You're awake," he said, offering a reassuring smile. "You've been dehydrated, and the cold severely affected you. We had to monitor you closely and treat you."
"How long was I out?" Kaia asked, her voice raspy.
"Two days," the doctor replied, scribbling something on his clipboard.
Kaia's eyes widened in alarm. "Can I make a call? I need to speak with my parents urgently. It's a matter of life and death."
Before the doctor could respond, a tall, sle
