Better Off

Crash.

Pain.

Nothing.

Light.

Nicole wakes up in what feels like a cocoon. Everything is soft, including her focus.

A familiar voice cascades in. Nicole turns. A stranger is smiling at her. She recognizes nothing about him but the voice coming from his mouth.

"The doctors say you'll be okay. You just need rest."

Nicole tries moving, but no response. She fears paralysis, until she notices the restraints. She looks back at the stranger.

"You really gave us a fright."

She remembers. Not everything, not who this person is or the accident, but she remembers enough.

Better she were dead.