My eyes open wide. Air rushes into my lungs. Real human lungs.
My mother's voice trembles in the room. "He's awake! He's coming out of the coma!"
What?
Is it possible? Did I die in Tanglewood? No, that couldn't be. If I did, System would own me.
My hands, weakened from lying in the ICU, struggle to work. My mouth is dry. I can't talk. But I can see.
Mom looks like she's rested. A little. She holds my hand, which feels like feathers. But her skin is warm against mine. "Josh? Sweetheart?"
I try to say something, but after so long, my lungs and my voice are rusty.
Mom squeezes my hand. "Don't try to talk, sweetheart. Your father is in the patient lounge. I'll get him. Your brother is...well, he's taking care of things."
I blink once to let her know I understand. Of course, I know what he is taking care of. He is fighting in the tournament.
Are we still in the tournament? Is this another Divine Vision? Just for now, I am not going to question it.
