The eyes of Lazarus fluttered open. Lazarus out of the tomb. Lazarus seeing his companions, iris widening upon itself, forcing shape out of mist. Seeing the curious blue skulls of anxious Martians collected in a watching crowd about him. Lazarus living, breathing, ready to speak.
Lazarus lifted his head, curiously, parted his lips, wetted them with his tongue, and then spoke. His first words were:
"What time is it?"
It was a simple sentence, and all of the Martians bent forward to catch its significance as one of the Martians replied:
"23:45."
Lazarus nodded and closed his eyes and lay back. "Good. He's safe then, by now. He's safe."
The Martians closed in, waiting for the next important words of the waking dead.