[He can't answer right away, partially because he barely hears her over the rush of water he thinks is in his ears, and also due to the fact that he still feels like he's not getting any air.
Slowly, though, the sensations start to fade a bit, though his eyes are still wild as he begins to feel the mattress beneath his body instead of steel, realize that Caroline's beside him instead of nothing.
His hands come up to his face, hiding behind them, the sounds coming from his mouth still frightened and desperate, the memories refusing to relinquish their hold.]