Chapter 14 - Liam

Consciousness comes back to me slowly. First it’s the smell. I mixture of cleaning solution, blood, and this amazing smell that reminds me of something that I just can’t recall but makes me feel safe and comforted. Then it’s sound. The soft whoosh of someone walking past my bed, the murmur of voices that I can’t quite catch, the beeping and whirring of machines. Then it’s touch and the feeling of heat along one side of my body. And finally, finally, my eyes flutter open.

It takes me a few minutes for my eyes to adjust to the light. When I’m finally able to see, I glance around the room I’m in. It must be evening, because the large halogen lamps above me are blazing. I’m in the medical tent, hooked up to all kinds of IVs and machines. My bed is separated on three sides by large curtains for a semblance of privacy, but you can easily see through the gaps.

I try to shift myself into a more comfortable position and immediately notice two things: 1) pain laces through the ri