Slowly, I regained consciousness. As I did, I became aware of the intense pounding in my head from the blow, which had also left an unpleasant metallic taste in my mouth. My vision was blurry, and I struggled to stay awake so I wouldn't slip back into darkness.

I tried to get up but failed. The second attempt met with the same resistance. It was as if it took my body a while to realize I was awake.

The pain from those two pitiful attempts to get up spread throughout my body with agonizing slown