A Breath in the Stone

Silence. Then... warmth behind my eyes. I turned my head slowly, testing the ancient bindings around my neck. The air felt heavy, enclosed, comforting. Reaching out with measured caution, my wrapped fingers grazed the inner curve of the stone sarcophagus rim. A deep rasp escaped my chest—a dry, steady sound. I am awake. Resting my hands across my chest once more, I stayed still, listening to the echoes in the dark.