Rebirth from the Ashes

As I slowly opened my eyes, a wave of pain washed over me, threatening to pull me back into the dark abyss. But I fought against it, determined to break free from the prison of my own mind. Groggily, I lifted my eyelids, only to be met with a blur of light and colors. I blinked several times, trying to clear the haze, but it didn't seem to work. Panic began to set in as I realized that I couldn't see properly. My right eye felt like it was covered in a thick veil, refusing to let any light in. I tried to focus, but everything remained a blur. I turned my gaze to my left eye, hoping that it would be better, but it was only marginally better. I could make out shapes and colors, but they were distorted, like a funhouse mirror reflection. Hange's face appeared before me, his eyes filled with concern and relief. He was smiling, and his eyes sparkled with tears. I tried to smile back, but my lips felt dry and cracked. I tried to speak, but my voice came out as a mere whisper. "Hange?" I croaked, my voice barely audible. He leaned in closer, his ear inches from my lips. "I'm here, my love," he whispered back, his voice trembling with emotion. "You're awake. You're finally awake." I tried to reach out to him, but my arms felt like lead weights, refusing to budge. Hange quickly grasped my hand, holding it tightly in his. His touch sent a surge of comfort through me, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. As I looked at Hange, I realized that he had changed. His hair was longer, and his eyes looked tired. He had been taking care of me, nursing me back to health, and it showed. I felt a pang of guilt for putting him through this ordeal. Hange noticed my gaze and smiled. "I've been taking care of you," he said, his voice filled with pride. "I've been feeding you, bathing you, and healing you. You're going to be okay, my love." I tried to process what he was saying, but my brain felt foggy. I looked around, trying to take in my surroundings. I was in a room, but it was unfamiliar. There were machines beeping in the background, and a soft humming noise filled the air. Hange noticed my confusion and explained, "We're in a safe house. I've been keeping you here until you're strong enough to move." I nodded, trying to understand. But as I looked at Hange, I realized that he was hiding something from me. His eyes seemed to hold a secret, and his smile seemed forced. "What is it, Hange?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. He hesitated, his eyes searching for the right words. "Your eyes, my love," he said finally. "You've lost your sight in your right eye, and you're 99% blind in your left." I felt like I had been punched in the gut. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. My world had been turned upside down, and I didn't know how to process it. But as I looked at Hange, I saw the love and concern in his eyes, and I knew that I would be okay. I would learn to adapt, to overcome. And as I lay there, surrounded by the darkness, I knew that I would face it head-on, with Hange by my side.