Tide & Ember - Avengers daughter story

Chapter I

Juliet's POV

October 11th 2014, a Saturday afternoon

I suddenly became aware of a cold almost stinging sensation in my arm and the faintest taste of salt in my mouth. I assumed saline. Then my sense of smell filled with rubbing alcohol? It was almost bitter but in an artificial cleaner way. I must be in a hospital, but why?

I don't think I am hurt or I'd be in much more pain. If I'm hurt, maybe I'm on some incredible pain meds, but that seems unlikely. I can't remember anything that could land me in a hospital bed, but now that I think of it my memory feels hazy. Maybe I have a concussion?

I can't tell if anyone is in the room or not so I am hesitant to open my eyes. My head feels weird and I am not really in the mood to be asked interrogative questions by a nurse that I don't think I even know the answer to right now. I listened for a second but there was no sound of anyone being in the room but me. Either that or they are very quiet, I think I'll take my chances.

My eyes were flooded with unfamiliar things, first noticing that I was lying in a stiff hospital gown on a gurney. I didn't like this. Being confused. Straight in front of me was a row of six windows overlooking a city which was slightly blurry with rain. My eyes searched around the room to find any sense of familiarity, but I did a double take when I realized there was a second bed to my right. I sat up and leaned forward to get a better look and see if I had a mystery guest or not, and my eyes froze when I saw them.

She looked asleep, but not a peaceful sleep. The girl was young, about the same age as me. Very pretty. She had long brown hair that looked well taken care of. Long eyelashes and a small nose. Familiar face. Have I seen her before? Although this was not a certainty, more of an off eerie feeling in my chest. She opened her eyes to see me staring right at her. I think my heart skipped a beat.

Kaia's POV

As my senses adjusted to the new surroundings, I heard the sounds of scratchy sheets scuffling to my left. I hate scratchy sheets. My eyes opened and I saw light tan walls and a rainy city skyline. I frantically turned my eyes around the room not recognizing where I am or even when it was. My eyes passed over to the left where the source of the noise was and I was very startled to meet two curious green-blue eyes.

A strange sense of deja vu came over me but that can't be possible, I've never seen this girl before. She was certainly very pretty and I couldn't help but feel like we had known each other for a very long time, like in an old family friend way. I opened my mouth to say something but I didn't know what to say which also wasn't a familiar feeling. Thankfully, the other girl spoke first.

"Hi." she stated meekly. More of a silence filler than an actual pleasantry. I hesitantly replied with a "Hello?" in return, also noticing her smooth dirty light blonde hair, full pink lips, and swooped nose.

"My name is Juliet. Do you have a name?"

"Yeah." I stated bluntly. "Kaia, it's Kaia" I tried again. I swear I have heard that voice somewhere before, but I'm probably just heavily disoriented. She had a comforting genuinely in her voice, like she was hopeful for something.

"Pretty name. Are you hurt?" she asked looking off her bed to get a better glance at mine.

I quickly searched my body for any sign of injury. "No, but this seems like a lot of trouble to go through for a healthy person. What about you? Are you hurt, I mean?"

"Not that I know of," she quickly glanced down at her body. "I kinda feel dizzy though. My head feels super weird."

"Yeah. Me too actually. Maybe that's why we're here together?" My legs shifted around the stiff sheets. "A concussion or something of the sort?"