Webs And Wishes - Tom Holland

Chapter 26.

As I regained consciousness, I could comprehend only two things: light and pain.

The blue flashing lights penetrated the blackness even through my closed eyelids. The irregular movements seemed to sway drunkenly, the ground below me seeming soft like playdough. Eventually, even the iridescent glow faded out of existence.

Then I was left with the pain.

It flooded down from my head, seeping into every part of my broken body. It morphed and expanded, blowing up inbetween my joints. There was nothing that could distract from the incessantly driving stab of pain. I wondered for a second why I wasn't screaming before my attention was once again drawn to my head wound. I could barely comprehend it. I didnt know where or when I was; I just wanted the pain to end.

Three, two, one...

Unbelievably, it got worse. Suddenly the ground left me, replaced with the bite of cold air. A tremor shot up my spine, and I welcomed the slip into unconsciousness.

***

The lights were back. This time, they flashed regularly, bright white and blinding. I ventured to allow my eyelids to open. I could see several blurs contrasting against the walls - people. Doctors.

And someone else.

"It'll be okay Tom, it's gonna be okay. Stay with me. Please. I promise I'll never leave you again."

That warm voice... so familiar... so far away...

There was a hot, dull pressure on my hand. Someone was holding me.

Lily.

She was here. Her hand clamped around mine, the slightly glimmer of hope in front of me. I wanted to tell her I was fine, I'd be back with her in seconds, if only my body would let me get up and hold her.

Then there were more voices, and she was gone again.

The last thing I registered was how cold my hand was.

I was alone.