Dust

Chapter 1

FAITH POV: My heart pounds violently as he holds tightly to my hand. I can't hear his voice, and I can't see his eyes, but I feel him... I know it's him... 

Suddenly, the blackness that coated my eyes begins to flash bright colors, as I feel his hand leave mine. Why did he let go? Where did he go? 

"You can open your eyes, honey." A kind voice says. I feel something like a bandage be removed from over my eyes, as they flutter rapidly, trying to adjust to the light. Everything seems blurry, as I look down at my body. I look like I've been in a battle zone... 

My legs are bruised and cut badly, while my arm is broken and bandaged. Scratches cover my entire body from the broken shards of glass in the car. My skin burns as the nurse tucks me in tighter. She's been the first voice I've heard since the accident. 

"Where..." is all I manage to utter out. She spares me a sideways smile. 

"You're at Vanderbilt Hospital." She says, fluffing the pillow behind my head. "Take a sip." She adds, holding a small plastic cup to my lips. I drink, feeling the cool liquid go down my dry throat. "Did that go down alright?" She asks. I nod. "Good. You hungry?" 

"Yes..." I spit out without much thought. My stomach feels as if it's full of acid. I don't remember if I ate before the accident. Hell, I don't remember anything from before the accident. I just remember the smoke, rain, and glass on the cool pavement. That was the last thing I saw before my sight went. The last thing I heard was the blaring of a horn, and a small clip of his voice before I felt him hold me in his arms. 

But who was he?

My mind traces back the steps... The farthest I'm getting is on the bank of the river with Rob... But that man wasn't Rob. Rob has blue eyes... Rob also has dirty blonde hair, not brown... There's no way that man was Rob... 

Another doctor walks in the room. He has grey hair, and looks very seasoned. Rob probably found the best doctor in the area... 

"Hello Ms Hill, you feeling alright?" The doctor asks. I nod. He smiles, and begins to look through his charts. "I'm going to ask you a few questions, Ms Hill, if that's alright." He says. 

"Sure." I agree. He clears his throat and begins to read off a few questions. 

"What is your name?" He asks. I laugh. 

"Audrey." I respond. He squints, as if I've given the wrong answer. 

"What do you go by?" He asks after a moment of strange silence. I frown a little. 

"Audrey?" I respond once more. He sighs, and takes down a few notes. 

"Alright, Ms Hill, where are you from?"

"Star, Mississippi." I say confidently. He smiles, and continues down the list. 

"Who is the president, currently?" He asks. 

"Reagan." I say, picking at my dry, brittle nails. The doctor utters something under his breath. "What?" I ask, trying to get him to speak up. 

"Clinton." He responds. 

"What?" I repeat. 

"Clinton is president." He says, putting down his notepad. A sort of betrayal appears in his eyes. I don't quite understand it. 

"He's the governor... He's not president." I try to correct him. He shakes his head. 

"Faith, what year do you think it is?" He asks like a friend. 

"Why are you calling me Faith?" I respond. Nobody ever calls me by my middle name. My mother only used it when she was angry at me. 

"I'm sorry, Audrey." He corrects. "What year do you think it is?" He asks once more.