Sparks and Hearts

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It was a strange sensation of floating in endless darkness, no light or color, just emptiness in a void, like space in-between space. Sounds dropped in and out, distant voices I recognized yet felt so far as if echoing through time.

Slowly darkness shifted from black and grey to white, so bright I thought my eyes would bleed as I became more aware of the outside world surrounding me. My eyes opened briefly but saw nothing I recognized. I was alive, yet I wasn't there.

''She will wake up; give her brain time to settle down and begin healing, but she will wake up.'' An unknown voice spoke.

''Don't give up, baby.'' Another soft voice whispered. 

I wasn't sure how much time had passed as I went in and out of consciousness—lying in silence, staring into space: all the voices, worried stares, movement, and everything going unnoticed.

''You haven't been sat up for a while. Does it feel strange?'' As they held me in sore and stiff positions. Only being met with silence being unable to respond.

''Can you lift your head for me?'' She asked.

To even my surprise, without a second thought, I did as commanded.

''Good girl!'' The woman praised.

''She can hear, thank heavens.'' A relieved voice exclaimed.

''It's a step in the right direction; she's becoming more aware of herself and surroundings, which is very encouraging.'' The woman affirmed as they finally laid me down again. Leaving me once again in peace in the in-between worlds I was living.

Many days passed before I woke up completely; I came back into the present with each passing dawn. I regained control over my physical body, aware of the strange place I was in, the itchy sheets laying beneath me, the clinical smell of a sterile environment I was all now aware of.

A door opened, prompting me to turn around, meeting the eyes of the only person I wanted to see, my mum. Her eyes were watery, looking as if she would break down any second, yet the biggest smile on her face was picture perfect.

''Mum,'' I spoke, barely a whisper, my throat dry and sore.

''Hi, baby girl.'' She cried, stroking my face as if I were made of glass.

''Where am I?'' I asked solemnly.

''You're in the hospital.'' She softly spoke.

''Why?'' I asked.

''We thought we'd lose you for a while.'' Mum's crying continued, looking down to the floor.

''Don't cry, please, I'm sorry.'' I pleaded, not wanting to upset her.

''You have nothing to be sorry about,'' Mum reassured.

''I...... I don't remember anything.'' I admitted, confused.

''You were in a car accident on the highway.'' 

''Why was I on the highway?'' I cut her off, just full of confusion.

''Darling, you weren't just on the highway. You weren't even in Tranquility; you were across the state; we thought it was a sick prank when we received the call. You've been in an induced coma since.'' She continued.

''Did I wreck your car?'' I asked, guilt rising.

''You- weren't in our car, honey. You were found in the front seat of a police car covered in your own blood.'' She revealed with a pained expression.

It wasn't often I was left speechless, but this was an exception.

''Why was I in a police car? Was I arrested for some reason?'' I asked, growing more anxious.