Drifting in and out of consciousness, she was vaguely aware her body ached, throbbing from head to toe. Nausea took her over, even as a series of convulsions twisted and pulled at her limbs. Before pain and numbness overtook her completely, a flash of absolute clarity warned that great danger was about to befall her. The sense of foreboding grew, haunting the edges of her mind with every passing hour. Gradually, the gloom and shadows enveloping her mind receded, clarifying into figures and shapes. The world began to take on substance. Gwen cracked open burning eyes. The first thing she knew was that she wasn’t home, in her own bed. The soft hum of the unfamiliar objects positioned around her clarified as recognition drifted through her fuzzy brain. A hospital, came her vague thought. Why am I . . . ? A large void filled her mind. She couldn’t remember. She lifted a hand, intending to wipe away the crust blurring her vision. Except her hand wouldn’t move. Not an inch. Panicked by her paralysis, Gwen lifted her head off the pillow.
