MEMORIES

Four

Detective Crane briskly walked into Mercy Hospital in San Diego one week later, dressed in an ironed blue-button up with polka dots, a black skirt, and high heels. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail. She wanted to make the best impression possible.

The hospital was surprisingly quiet. There was a mother and young daughter in the waiting room, and a man was talking to a nurse, but that was it, not including workers. Alexis hung her purse over her shoulder and went up to the information desk. The receptionist there was sitting with her feet propped up on the desk scrolling her phone. Alexis cleared her throat and rang the bell on the counter. "Excuse me?" she said. "I'm here to visit someone. A younger teenager that's been popular on the news."

The woman's head snapped up and she put her chunky black glasses back on. "I'm sorry, what was that?" she said. "I didn't hear you." "Clearly," Alexis mumbled under her breath. The smoothed her blouse. "I'm here to visit the young man in the hospital," she said. "The one that was found in a crater and has been all over the media?" "Ah, yes, him," the woman said. She looked over at the computer. "It looks like you've scheduled a visit with him," she said. "Right this way, just follow me, please." She went out from behind the counter and started walking down the hospital halls. Alexis followed.

They rode the elevator up to the fourth floor, then walked down the very end of the hall. "This was the most private room we could find him," she explained. "Originally he was on the ground floor in intensive care, but reporters, journalists, and such kept ravaging his room and trying to constantly interview all of his doctors and nurses that we were forced to privately move him."

"I see," Alexis said. They turned a corner. "So people are very interested in his case?" she said. "Oh, very much," said the receptionist. "They all have their own theories."

The receptionist stopped at room 450A. She stopped at sanitize her hands, and then went into the room. Alexis did the same and followed her. Inside the hospital room, a curtain blocked off any view of the mysterious patient. "Dr. Livi," the receptionist called. "I believe you have a visitor."

Out from behind the curtain emerged a plump older man with graying brown hair. "Oh, hello!" he said. "I believe you are the detective that the Sherriff hired?" "Yes," Alexis said with a smile, and extended her hand. "Detective Alexis Crane at your service, Dr. Livi." Dr. Livi took her hand and shook it. "It is an honor," he said. "I have never ben involved in such a grand mystery as this. It is very exciting! Miss Meghan," he said to the receptionist, "Please go get Sherriff Palmer from the lobby for us." "Of course," Meghan replied, and rushed off.

"What have you noticed about the boy during the time you've cared for him?" Alexis asked Dr. Livi. "Oh, so much," Dr. Livi exclaimed. "But mostly his appearance. He is so unique! His skin is pale, when you hold his hand up to the light his fingers are almost transparent! He has no blemishes, either—no birthmarks, no scars, no wrinkles, nothing. And his eyes!" he exclaimed. "They're gold, like a star!" "His eyes are gold?" Alexis said, his eyebrows rising in surprise. Dr. Livi nodded excitedly. "Yes," he said. "I would show you, but I think we should wait for Mr. Palmer."

"Wait no longer," said a voice from the doorway. The two turned a found the tall, dark Sherriff Palmer walking into the room. He stretched out his hand. "Sherriff Andrew Palmer," he said. "It's a pleasure, Detective." "A pleasure for me as well," Alexis said, and shook his hand. "I've worked with children and young adults more than anybody else in my entire career, so I'm very excited to be involved in this. Dr. Livi told me that he is an incredible boy."

"He is, indeed," Palmer agreed. "So I shouldn't keep you waiting. May we see him, Douglas?" "Yes, of course, just one minute," said Dr. Livi. He rushed behind the curtain. "The detective is here to talk to you," they heard him say. "You remember what we told you about her? Good. Is it okay is she talks to you? She said herself that she's very good with kids."

There was a lengthy pause, then Dr. Livi peered out from behind the curtain. He smiled and waved them forward. Alexis set her purse on a chair, smoothed her clothes and hair, and cleared her throat. She followed Dr. Livi behind the curtain.

Lying in the bleached hospital bed was a boy who looked like he was around 14 or 15 years old. He definitely fit the description of Dr. Livi, and his hair was cream blonde with long bangs. Along with his white hospital gown and the white walls, medical equipment, and bed sheets, he seemed to glow and almost looked like an angel.

Alexis was frozen in shock for a couple of minutes. "He's awake," she said finally. "Yes," said Dr. Livi. "He woke up yesterday, and since we knew you were coming today, we figured we would just show you." "I see," said Alexis. But you really should have told me anyway, she thought. "He is very discombobulate, scared, and nervous, I wouldn't expect answers to questions," said Palmer from the other side of the curtain. "He certainly didn't answer mine. He hasn't even spoken—"

"I'm not discombobulated."

Alexis and Dr. Livi turned and stared at the boy in surprise. Palmer poked his head around the curtain and stared at him, his jaw gone slack. The boy stared back, his face expressionless, as if he didn't see what was so shocking.

"He talks," said Dr. Livi. "Well, of course he does," Alexis blurted. She sat down next to him on the bed. "You're not discombobulated? That's good. I'm glad. Can you tell me your name?"

He stared at her for a few more seconds, then looked down at his lap and stared at that for a few more seconds. "I know my first name," he said. His voice was soft and feathery. "But I don't remember my last name. Or my second name." "That's okay," said Alexis. "What's your first name?" He blushed. "Ray," he mumbled. "That's a nice name," Alexis said. She smiled. Ray shrugged.

"Well," Alexis said. "How old are you, Ray?" He stared down at his lap again. He fidgeted with his hands, then shrugged. "I don't know," he said. "Oh," Alexis exclaimed. She covered her mouth with her hand. "Do you remember where you live?" "Not here," he mumbled. "Is that a no?" Alexis said slowly. Ray nodded. "I don't remember," he said. "How about your parents?" Alexis said. "Your family? Your guardians?" "No," he said. "Friends?" Alexis exclaimed. "Acquaintances? Girlfriend?" "No," he whispered.

Dr. Livi put his face in his hand. "Oh, no..." he groaned. "this.. is bad," Palmer sighed. "Dr. Livi?" "I'm afraid young Ray may have a case of amnesia—dissociative amnesia," Dr. Livi said. "He's temporarily lost his memories." "That's not good..." Palmer muttered to himself.

"It's okay," Alexis said quickly. She didn't want Ray to get even more scared than he already must be. "His memories will come back, right, Dr.?" "Well, yes," Dr. Livi said. "In time, they will come back on their own."

"It's fine," Alexis repeated. "His memories will come back. I think what we need to do is send out a report for Ray's parents to claim him, and for the time being find him somewhere to live..." "I can do that part," said Palmer. "Great," Alexis said. "Then once he's settled, we'll have to find out how he got this amnesia."

"To do that we'll have to do some brain scans," Dr. Livi piped in. "Like MRI's and such, and some x-rays and bloodwork. That will tell us if the amnesia is from a brain injury or if it was caused by trauma." "Great," said Alexis. "Then once we know how it was caused, we'll start treatment." "If it was caused by a brain injury, first we'll have to treat the brain injury if there's any remaining harm," said Dr. Livi. "And then weather it's caused by injury or not he'll have to take some therapy."

"Good," Alexis said. She took a deep breath and folded her hands and smiled. "That's our plan, then." "You're good at your job, for such a young woman," Dr. Livi said. Alexis grinned. "Thank you," she said.

"But what about after that?" said Palmer. "What happens if his parents never claim him or if we can't find them? Or if he's an orphan? Anything's possible."

"Mr. Palmer," Alexis said gently. "We don't want to scare Ray any more than necessary." "Yeah, sorry," said Palmer. "But I was just trying to be realistic. So? What happens then?"

Alexis sighed through her nose. "I don't know," she said. "But we have to take the first step."