The shaking sent a slight shock of pain through him. It did, at least, wake him up properly, body bolting slightly upright before another shock of pain arrested his motion. His breath came in rough gulps, heart pounding in his chest as he cast his eyes in terror around the room.

It didn't take long to focus in on her. It didn't take long for her voice to penetrate through the fog of his mind, for her face to swim properly into focus.

He was home. He was with Anne. He was safe.

He was alive.

It took a moment nonetheless to find his breath again.