She gasps,

waiting

for the pain

to pass.

and, finally,

finally, then,

long last,

she shakily exhales.

But there’s now a sinking feeling in her chest.

Anger? Depress?

She cannot put a finger on it.

She tries to sit up.

When she raises her hands,

breath catches in her throat:

The entirety of her left arm is wrapped in bandage—

neat, white rows of gauze.

But at her palm,

Small droplets of blood are seeping out.