Harsh Awakening

A harsh ringing echoed inside my skull as my eyelids fluttered open, competing with a chaotic clamor filling the room around me. Total disorientation clouded my thoughts while I tried to piece together what had happened and how I had ended up in this strange bed. Where the hell was I?

Pushing myself upright on the mattress, I glanced around slowly. Harried women wearing tight, conflicted expressi