20 A Ray Of Hope in Clouds of Darkness

Cathy's eyes flutter open. The bright light from above stings into her eyes. It comes with a buzzing noise that rings into her ears. She tries to move her right hand over her eyes to shield herself from the bright light. Surprisingly, her hand does not move. It only elicits sounds of metal rattling against each other. She comes to realize that both hands are cuffed to her bed rails on either side.

Her eyes unblur and that's when she can see. The big operating light above her. The white curtains surrounding her. The injection poked into her arm, connected by a tube that links to a hospital drip. Surgical tools in a tray beside her on the table. Her heart pounds. It pounds with the adrenaline of fear. Fear coming from the conclusion she makes based on her surroundings.

The surgical tools are going to be used on her. They are going to be opening her up.