Dead to the World

Her eyes and mouth open suddenly and simultaneously, drawing in darkness and cold air. Eyes bulge, straining to see anything in the blackness. Alba can feel a cold surface pressing against her back as she wakes from some distant place. Something is obstructing her breath, filling her mouth with each gasping inhale. Fingers twitch as she struggles to regain control of her body and then, with a scream she sits bolt upright, a white sheet falling away. Her eyes adjust to the dimly lit room and find a naked body lying on a table next to her, chest split wide open.