18

I wake to bright lights being shined directly into my eyes. Back and forth the flashlight goes. As they begin to slowly flicker open I’m bombarded with nurses and doctors asking me questions. “What's your name?” One of the medical staff asks me. “Do you know where you are?” Another one adds.

“My name is—” I hesitate as my eyes try their hardest to stay open. “My name is Lina Harrington.” I get out before everything goes black again.

────

The sun that peers in through the hospital window is almost blinding. The bright lights make me squint as my eyes try to adjust.

“Oh, Lina!” I hear a familiar voice across the room. A voice I thought I would never hear again. Within seconds my mother is towering over my bedside. She takes me in her arms as she sobs loudly. I can’t hold back either, I cry and I cry loud and hard. The months of being away have finally caught up with me. I see my father standing behind her smiling down and my brother Logan next to my father. Tears stream down both of their faces. Relief rushes through my veins and I hate to admit it, but at the very same time so does the regret from drinking that vial.

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