One Step From Heaven

Amelia opened her eyes to a blinding white flash of light. She immediately winced, squinting her eyes in an attempt to shield the blinding intrusion.

'Is this heaven?' she wondered, only for a rude voice to cut through her thoughts.

"No, you're not dead and this isn't heaven," the man said. "Fortunately."

Slowly, Amelia turned her head, only to see Aiden sitting on the armchair placed right beside the bed. He was flipping through a book — Amelia couldn't tell what the story was from this angle — but he looked up and spared her a glance.

She opened her mouth, wanting to ask a whole barrage of questions, only to stop when Aiden shoved a mug of water her way, complete with a small straw.

"Drink," he said, and Amelia followed his instructions obediently.