Project Chimera

Beep. Beep. Beep.
The sound is the first thing you register, a monotonous rhythm that scrapes against the edges of your consciousness. You are vaguely aware of a dull ache in your head, the heavy feeling of your limbs, and the persistent, unwelcome truth – you are still alive.
Your eyes flutter open, protesting against the harsh fluorescent light above. The green screen of a heart monitor flickers nearby, its incessant beeping a constant reminder of your fragile state. You try to move, to lift a hand, but your body feels unresponsive, held down by tight leather straps. Disinfectant stings the air, a familiar scent in this sterile, cold place.
A voice cuts through the quiet, sharp and familiar. "Still alive, eh?" You flinch, a pathetic, restrained movement against the table.
