The hospital lights hurt her eyes.
Machines beeped loudly around her.
Voices shouted.
"She's awake!"
Lena gasped for air.
Water burned in her lungs.
A nurse leaned over her.
"You're okay. You're safe."
But Lena wasn't listening.
Because someone else stood in the corner of the room.
Watching.
The same dark clothes.
The same calm expression.
Death.
No one else seemed to see him.
He gave a small nod.
Like a reminder.
The deal.
Panic crawled through Lena's chest.
This wasn't a dream.
A doctor rushed in.
"You're extremely lucky," he said.
"You were clinically dead for three minutes."
Lena slowly turned her head.
Death spoke without moving his lips.
Remember.
Then he vanished.