Axel fought against the heavy pull of unconsciousness, his lashes trembling as he tried to force his eyes open. His body felt weak, drained, and every movement seemed like it took all the strength he had. After what felt like an eternity, his eyelids finally parted, and the harsh white light of the hospital filtered into his vision. He blinked slowly, trying to adjust to the brightness and piece together where he was. It didn't take long before the sharp scent of disinfectant and the quiet beeping of medical equipment made it clear to him.
"I'm alive…" he thought to himself, his chest rising and falling unevenly as the realization sank in. A shaky laugh escaped him. "Thank God. How bad would it have been if I had died because of my own stupidity?" The thought left him with both relief and guilt pressing down on him at the same time.
