Tarkisce

I wake up. My head hurts, my shoulder hurts, my leg feels numb. The bed feels uncomfortable, and it takes me a minute to realise that I am not in my bedroom. The walls are starched white, and lights seem too bright. "Where am I?" I try to say, but my voice is too hoarse, and all that comes out is a meaningless jumble of sounds. "You're awake!" A figure in the corner shoots up. It's Matt, in a crumpled suit, his tie undone. He looks as if he hasn't slept; his eyes are red-rimmed and his face is pale. "Matt?" I say wonderingly. I try to process all of these, but my thoughts feel too sluggish, too slow. "You were in an accident," he whispers