2 Waking Up in Another Body (1/2)

Tired. So tired.

It felt like she was walking for an eternity through a dark and desolate tunnel. She wanted to stop, but for some reason she kept on walking towards the small speck of light far away in the distance.

Her throat felt dry and rough, burning with extreme thirst.

Water.

She needed water. Maybe she could drink when she reaches the end of the tunnel.

And so she kept on walking and walking and walking.

Water. The thought of water flowing down her parched throat kept her going.

She didn't know how long she walked. Days, months, years…maybe even decades, perhaps even centuries.

She didn't know. She just wanted water.

Finally, the light grew larger and brighter.

Almost there.

Then she was bathed in pure, white light.

Finally.

###

At a big, private hospital.

She opened her eyes and felt almost blinded by a soft, dim light. It took a few moments before her eyes became accustomed to it.

'Where am I?'

Confused, she looked around the tasteful, hotel-like room. She didn't recognize the place. Then she noticed the sound of slow, constant beeping beside her. She turned her head towards the sound and was surprised that her head felt heavy. In fact, her entire body felt heavy. She couldn't move.

'What's going on?'

With great effort, she finally turned her head a little and saw that it was a machine making the beeping noise. She then realized that she was hooked to it and a lot of other medical apparatus as well. It dawned on her that she was at a hospital and by the looks of it, her condition was rather serious.

”W-wa…ter…” She tried speaking but only a dry whisper came out of her cracked lips.

Nobody was around. She already felt exhausted, her eyes starting to droop, but she fought against unconsciousness.

After waiting for who knew how long, the door finally opened and a nurse strode in.

”You're awake!” The nurse was shocked when she saw the patient's open eyes. She immediately pressed a button to call for a doctor.

'Hm? Chinese?'

”How are you feeling?” the nurse asked, as she began checking her.

”W-wa-wa…ter…” she croaked in Mandarin.

Fortunately, the nurse understood her. ”You want to drink water? Wait a moment, Young Miss. We'll have to wait for the doctor and ask him whether it's okay for you to drink. Oh, he's here!”