Chapter 73

Bright, golden sunshine streamed in through the window as birds sang outside, but the song sounded off—delayed, somehow. I opened my eyes, and there was white everywhere: white walls, white sheets …

Someone said something, but it sounded slurred, delayed, and muffled. I tried to turn my head, but it hurt so badly that I could hardly move. Greer appeared in my line of sight. I tried to smile, but nothing seemed to be responding well. “Greer? What happened?” I tried to say.

“Shush,” she said as tears streamed down her face. Then, she said something else, but I couldn’t make out what it was.

“Sorry. I can’t hear you,” I said as my head spun. “What happened? Where am I?”

Behind her, my mother appeared with tears in her eyes, along with my father, who bent down and kissed my forehead. His mouth started moving, but the sound was jumbled.

“Sorry, Dad,” I said, unable to h