It was then the sound of sirens filled the air, growing louder as they approached. Someone, perhaps a neighbor who had witnessed the fall from afar, must have called for help. Relief washed over me, mingled with a fresh wave of fear. What if they found nothing wrong? What if this really was all in my head?

The paramedics arrived, slicing through the crowd with professional urgency. They knelt beside me, their faces kind and focused. As they began their examination, asking questions and checking vitals, I clung to their presence like a lifeline. For the first time since the fall, I felt a flicker of hope that someone would take my pain seriously.