Holding On
Ellen opened her eyes to the scent of antiseptic and the soft beeping of all the medical stuff nearby. The bright lights overhead cast a weird light in the room, making it all feel like a strange dream. She blinked, her mind groggy at first, but slowly, the events leading up to this moment began to flood back. The gunshots, the shattered glass, the fear that had gripped her so tightly she couldn't even move.
Her throat felt dry, and she shifted slightly, feeling the cool sheets under her fingertips. A nurse entered, noticing she was awake. "Good, you're up," the nurse said gently. "How are you feeling?"
Ellen cleared her throat, trying to find her voice. "I... I think I'm okay," she managed to say, though her head was still swimming with questions. "What happened? Am I hurt?"
The nurse smiled, shaking her head. "You're fine. The doctor said it was just shock. You fainted, but other than that, you don't have any injuries."