Alara's POV

22:32

Everything hurts. My arms, my legs, my belly, my back, my head. I turn my head to the side and my vision swims so I close my eyes. That doesn't help; just feels like I'm floating… I try to regulate my breathing to quash the pain-and-fear-induced nausea that's creeping up on me as a man wearing a cap and mask approaches me with a needle.

Where's Claire? I'd feel a lot better if I could just catch a glimpse of her or hear her voice...

The edges of my vision start to shimmer…I think I'm ready to pass out any second now…

Pass out or die. One of those. Mommy. Daddy. I love you both so much. I'm sorry I was such a disappointment to you…

An oxygen mask is fitted over my face, and something horrible-smelling invades my nostrils…