Neon circles break through black fog. The harder I press my eyelids together, the more circles come. White light. I can’t fight it. I try to open my eyes, crusted shut, and am blinded by brightness.
My brain is a bruised peach.
Jackhammers outside, cracking through granite. And cars honking. I focus. Cars honking at traffic lights and jackhammers cracking through granite. Beeping monitors.
The stitches across my throat and face fire up like cast iron branding when I try to gulp. My trachea narrows and it feels like I’m choking.
I wiggle my toes. Pinpricks.
“Frankie.” A familiar voice floats around in the yolks of my mind. Wrinkly palms rest on my forehead. “Your eyes are fluttering. Are you awake?”
Chapter 4.2, now up on Wattpad!
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sandpapertongue 