I slowly woke from sleep.

I still could not remember what kind of dream I had, but now I was aware that I had merely forgotten it.

With the awareness of waking came dense fatigue, pain scattered throughout my body, and warmth.

Had someone taken great care in preparing my bed?

It was a sensation I often felt when waking in the Tiger Mansion.

‘My throat hurts. I’m thirsty. Water….’

With a head that would not move well, like cotton soaked in water, I thought blankly.