Pain stabbed through Janice's body, tears welling up in her eyes. The sharp aches radiating from her arms and calves suddenly sharpened her senses, pulling her out of the fog.
"Janice…" A familiar voice called out nearby, making her jump. She struggled to open her eyes wider, trying to make out the room's details. But all she could see was a blurry shadow lying on the floor.
"It's me. Don't make a sound!" Manfred's low voice came from somewhere close, as he tried to inch closer to her. She was tied to the bed, but it seemed like whoever had done this didn't intend to harm her — that realization gave Manfred some small comfort.
"Manfred? How did you end up here too?" Janice's voice trembled, a flicker of hope shining through the fear. She had been with Manfred before all this — how had things spiraled so badly?
