Cassie slowly woke up. Her eyelids felt heavy, as if something was pulling her back into the darkness. When she finally managed to open her eyes, her vision was blurry. For a moment, she could only make out vague shadows around the room. The white ceiling above her looked unfamiliar. A sharp antiseptic smell filled her nose, sending waves of confusion. *Where am I?* she thought.
As her eyes began to focus, she saw someone sitting by her bedside. A man with disheveled hair, his face filled with unmasked worry. She recognized him… Kevin.
"K-Kevin?" her voice was hoarse, as if it hadn't been used for a long time. There was pain in her throat as she tried to speak.
Kevin's eyes widened immediately, his body jolting from the chair. His tired face changed instantly. "Cassie! You're awake!" his voice trembled between relief and exhaustion.
