Caleb's POV
The first thing that hit me when consciousness returned wasn't the pain or the disorientation. It was the familiar smell of home, the texture of sheets I knew by heart, the way the afternoon light filtered through windows I'd looked out of for years.
I was back. Somehow, impossibly, I was home.
The last clear memory I had was Jessica's trembling body pressed against mine, her whispered words filling my ears with warmth. Then darkness had claimed me, and now here I was, staring at the ceiling of my childhood bedroom.
The door creaked open, and I turned to see Colter stepping inside. His usually immaculate appearance was disheveled - wrinkled shirt, loosened tie, hair that looked like he'd been running his hands through it. The sight of him like this made my chest constrict with emotion.
He moved quietly across the room, assuming I was still unconscious. It wasn't until he got closer that he realized my eyes were open, tracking his movement.
