Cold water struck Aurora's face, jerking her awake.
Air rushed painfully into her lungs as consciousness returned in a violent wave, and for several seconds she could do nothing but cough while droplets ran down her cheeks and neck. Her head throbbed with every heartbeat, the place where she had been struck feeling as though someone had driven a hammer into her skull.
She instinctively tried to move her hands, only to discover that her wrists were tied loosely in front of her. The ropes weren't particularly sophisticated, but they were secure enough to prevent her from simply standing and walking away.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked around only to be greeted by absolute darkness.
