<P>Dominic's mind returned to his body at about that speed. Everything flooded back to him, hit him in the face like a propelled cinder block. And the things he remembered - He remembered hurting - Pain. He could recall the sickening sound of his spine snapping. He could vividly see his body, broken on the floor, bleeding helplessly, not able to move... He should be dead. Nobody could take a beating like that.
<P>
<P>But did it really happen?
<P>
<P>He was in the same room he remembered passing out in. The radio to his right crackled with static. It haunted him.
<P>
<P>Dominic didn't think he had a single memory that seemed more real than that one.
<P>
<P>Somebody called his name. It was distant; muffled. He didn't respond. His body was confused; being sent signals that it couldn't interpret. Everything was still hazy and incomplete.
<P>
<P>He heard his name again.
<P>
<P>Everything was back to normal.
<P>
<P>He looked. Jess stood in the doorway.
<P>
<P>"Dominic, what the hell happened to you?"
<P>
<P>He blinked. Looked down at his clothing. He was covered with blood. Looked back up at Jess.
<P>
<P>"Is that your blood?"