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Description
I awoke slowly as if I did not want to be conscious. I felt like a led weight, sinking deeper into the bed every moment longer I lay there. I forced my heavy eyes open and breathed in the sharp scent of salt. It burned my nose like vinegar.
My head was pounding rhythmically between my eyes. I moved one of my hands up to my face and rubbed my eyes with limp fingers.
I could hear waves crashing softly outside the slightly open window. A light breeze blew through the gap, teasing a strand of hair into my face. I brushed it away and sat up, my muscles screaming in protest. A hint of confusion found its way into my head. Why was I so sore?
At the same time, I felt slightly numb, like something from the depths of my existence was missing.
My memory kicked in as it always did every morning a few moments after I woke up, ending the quiet oblivion that was my peace.
A rush of memories washed through my pounding head. I shut my throbbing eyes tight, trying to force the memories back down to the cold reservoir where they had come from. All the images that I never wanted to see again, flying like a flock of multi-colored birds in front of my eyes.
The episode took only a few seconds, and when the last few memories stopped, I clutched my head and lay back down with a miserable groan. My whole body was shaking and my breathing shallow. Every morning I had to deal with the sudden wash of people’s lives. It always came as a shock.
I took a deep breath and sat up again. I felt light-headed but forced myself to stay upright.
There was a soft knock on the door to my room. The wood sounded dense, and when I looked over I saw it was stained dark, like the color storm clouds turn just before the sun sets.
I turned my head away, placing my hand on my stiff neck.
“Come in,” I said, my voice cracking dryly. I heard the door open, making no noise save for the bottom scraping along the thick blue carpet
“Liz?” It was Hailey again. Her voice was just as gentle as the night before. I did not respond in any way, just sat staring at the floor.
“Liz, look at me,” she said, taking a step closer.

Description
I awoke slowly as if I did not want to be conscious. I felt like a led weight, sinking deeper into the bed every moment longer I lay there. I forced my heavy eyes open and breathed in the sharp scent of salt. It burned my nose like vinegar.
My head was pounding rhythmically between my eyes. I moved one of my hands up to my face and rubbed my eyes with limp fingers.
I could hear waves crashing softly outside the slightly open window. A light breeze blew through the gap, teasing a strand of hair into my face. I brushed it away and sat up, my muscles screaming in protest. A hint of confusion found its way into my head. Why was I so sore?
At the same time, I felt slightly numb, like something from the depths of my existence was missing.
My memory kicked in as it always did every morning a few moments after I woke up, ending the quiet oblivion that was my peace.
A rush of memories washed through my pounding head. I shut my throbbing eyes tight, trying to force the memories back down to the cold reservoir where they had come from. All the images that I never wanted to see again, flying like a flock of multi-colored birds in front of my eyes.
The episode took only a few seconds, and when the last few memories stopped, I clutched my head and lay back down with a miserable groan. My whole body was shaking and my breathing shallow. Every morning I had to deal with the sudden wash of people’s lives. It always came as a shock.
I took a deep breath and sat up again. I felt light-headed but forced myself to stay upright.
There was a soft knock on the door to my room. The wood sounded dense, and when I looked over I saw it was stained dark, like the color storm clouds turn just before the sun sets.
I turned my head away, placing my hand on my stiff neck.
“Come in,” I said, my voice cracking dryly. I heard the door open, making no noise save for the bottom scraping along the thick blue carpet
“Liz?” It was Hailey again. Her voice was just as gentle as the night before. I did not respond in any way, just sat staring at the floor.
“Liz, look at me,” she said, taking a step closer.