The first thing Nicholas felt was the cold, sharp sting in his chest. He felt as though water pooled in his heart and the sensation was enough to bring him back from his unconscious state. His chest ached, tight and raw, and as he gasped for breath, a fit of coughing erupted from deep within him. Each cough tore through his fragile frame like splinters, leaving him heaving and trembling.
He tried to lift a hand to shield his eyes from the harsh sunlight, but his body refused to obey, weak and sluggish as though it no longer belonged to him.
"Nicholas!" His mother's voice broke through the haze, trembling and frantic. Her hands were on him, desperate and searching, trying to still his spasming body. "Nicholas, can you hear me? Stay with me, sweetheart. Please!"
Her face was pale, her usually composed features drawn tight with fear. She pressed one hand to his clammy forehead, the other gripping his thin wrist, her fingers trembling as they felt for a pulse.
