NINA
I couldn't breathe.
Hard as I tried to, I couldn't get any air into my lungs. My eyes flew open, rearing me into consciousness, and I saw the reason for my lack of air.
A strong hand clamped down, pressing a cloth on my face. Hard. Discomfort spiraled quickly into terror, and I clawed at that hand desperately, fighting for air, for life.
I lost.
My hands stopped their assault and my head fell to the side as I slid back into darkness. Before I closed my eyes, I saw Gabrielle being hoisted onto a shoulder, her hands hanging limply and her eyes closed in what I prayed was sleep.
The darkness dragged me away then.
*****
"Nina," My name was followed by an insistent tap on my shoulder. "Nina, come on, wake up."
My eyelids were heavy, refusing to be so easily opened.
"Nina!" The urgency in her tone grew.
