JJ winced in pain as he opened his eyes. He still remembered the conversation with Kiara, her begging him not to give up, to hold out a little longer. But then he closed his eyes and...

Now he was in a strange room, in a strange bed, in a strange place. He didn't know where he is and it got him a bit panicked. At least his wound was taken care of.

The memory of everything got him angry, sad and a bit scared because of not knowing where he is. His real father stabbing him, the sobs of his girlfriend, Kie, the crown... He just wanted go back to the Pouges. Why they even agreed to all of this...? They were happy before, they didn't need more. The realization hurt more than JJ's wound to his stomach.

He slowly sat up, then tried to stand.