My breathing is ragged as I startle awake. I’m instantly on edge, my eyes darting around rapidly. I’m leaning against a tree in the forest. _How did I get here?_ My body tenses up and I feel an urgency to run. _Why?_ Adrenaline is rushing through me, insisting that I go.

I push myself up and stagger, my vision going white as a searing pain causes my knees to buckle. I drop back down, panting harder. _Where am I hurt?_ I blink a few times to stop my head from spinning and clear my eyes of tears. Turning, I give myself a once-over.

I’m covered in dirt, blood, and sweat. But I can’t see where the blood is coming from. Another flash of pain has me curling up into a ball on the forest floor. _Am I screaming? _I can’t hear anything. I can’t think. I feel feverish, sweating and shivering.

The pain resides and I’m left twitching. My thoughts are swirling wildly as I try to find a way to stop it from coming back. My heartbeat is pounding in my ears. Quick and deafening. I try to push myself up with my hands but a sharp snap has me falling back down, crying out in agony.

Something broke, I’m sure of it. Before I can check, the encompassing pain returns. This time, I know I’m screaming because my throat hurts and my lungs are burning. My skin feels like it’s being flayed and boiled at the same time. _EVERYTHING HURTS! _**_EVERYTHING HURTS!_** My eyes roll back into my head and I pass out.