Awake

Grey. I saw and felt deep grey all around me. It was a haze, like dark smoke, closing me in and suffocating me. I tried to get out, the effort futile. I was sinking into the depths. Then I felt pain. The aching was sudden and severe. I moaned.

I felt an arm slipped under my neck, and a voice that seemed far away. Then my eyes opened of their own accord, and I found myself looking into the face of a young lady. Roses. Why was I thinking of roses?

"Hello? It's all right, you are among friends," she said. I tried to say something, but the ache in my back wouldn't let me yet, so I smiled and inclined my head. The girl smiled back. "I'm Rosriel," she said.