Felicity's eyes fluttered open, her consciousness emerging from the depths of a medication-induced sleep. She blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of her surroundings. The white ceiling above and the sterile smell of antiseptic indicated she was in a hospital.

She slowly turned her head and saw several unfamiliar faces. They were speaking rapidly in a language she didn’t understand and looked worried. Suddenly, all of them rushed out of the room as if urgently calling someone.

Panic gripped her as she tried to recall how she had ended up there. She tried to speak aloud, but a tube in her throat prevented any sound from emerging. Fear overwhelmed her, and she decided to attempt sitting up. However, she had barely lifted her body when one of the people in a white coat rushed in and stopped her with firm hands.

“Please, calm down,” the person said, though Felicity did not understand the words. She could only grasp the intent behind them.

Confusion made her heart race, and the beeping of the machines around her grew louder with her distress. The concerned faces of the people in white coats drew closer, trying to soothe her.

Tears of frustration and fear welled up in her eyes. She shook her head, trying to understand what they were saying, but it was all a whirlwind of sounds and confusion. Remembering what had happened earlier, she saw a nurse approaching with a needle and felt a surge of panic. She wanted to understand what was happening; she didn’t want to go back to sleep.

Fear drove her to move faster, trying to escape the needle. The people in white coats held her more tightly to prevent her from hurting herself. As she struggled, her eyes focused on her own hands.

Her hands looked smaller, almost childlike. Confusion and fear swirled in her mind as darkness enveloped her once more. Something deep and mysterious had changed, and as she surrendered to sleep again, she couldn’t shake the feeling that nothing would ever be the same.