9

There was nothing. Except pain. Instant and unbearable pain. Everywhere.

Then nothing.

Until it returned.

Agony. Impossible agony.

So intense that it muffled the barrage of noise in the background. Stifled and unrecognizable. Sporadic.

Then nothing.

When it came again, the noise was louder. Splintering through the pain. Like a collision.

Someone was yelling.