RONAN
I woke to the smell of antiseptic and the distant sound of someone crying. Both sensations felt wrong, like waking up in someone else's life. Every muscle ached and I felt an exhaustion in my bones that felt unusual. I tried to open my eyes and the sudden brightness made me close them again.
"He is waking up." It was a woman's voice. It was familiar, but distant. "Get Matthew quickly."
I heard some footsteps retreat and another set approached. I then felt a hand close around mine.
"Ronan. Can you hear me?" I forced my eyes open again. The light was still too bright, but I pushed through it, blinking against the glare and focused on the blurred figure next to me. It was Virginia.
"Hey," she whispered. "You're awake. You're finally awake."
I tried to speak and my throat felt dry.
